Cartridge

ABSTRACT

A terminal placement region of the cartridge is divided into an upper region and a lower region, and the cartridge includes a plurality of terminals placed in the upper region, a plurality of terminals placed in the lower region, and a plurality of long terminals across the upper region and the lower region. The long terminals are a ground terminal, a chip-enable terminal, a power supply terminal, or a reset terminal. A strobe terminal and a clock terminal are arranged one above the other. Two data input/output terminals are arranged one above the other, and four sets of data input/output terminals arranged one above the other are present. A long terminal is near the strobe terminal and the clock terminal arranged one above the other, and a long terminal is near the two data input/output terminals arranged one above the other.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/398,903, filed Jan. 5, 2017, and claims priority to Japanese PatentApplication No. 2016-205577, filed on Oct. 19, 2016. The entire contentsof each of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD

The technology disclosed here relates to a cartridge capable of beingconnected to an information processing apparatus.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

Conventionally, there is a cartridge attachable to and detachable froman information processing apparatus such as a game apparatus. Forexample, such a cartridge stores a program to be executed by a gameapparatus. In a case where the cartridge is attached to the gameapparatus, the game apparatus reads the program stored in a storagedevice in the cartridge.

However, there is room for improvement in forming a cartridge to besmall.

Therefore, it is an object of an exemplary embodiment to provide a newcartridge attachable to and detachable from an information processingapparatus such as a game apparatus.

To achieve the above object, the exemplary embodiment employs thefollowing configurations.

An example of the exemplary embodiment is a cartridge having a front endand a rear end and capable of connecting to a game apparatus byinserting the cartridge, the front end first, into a cartridge insertionslot of the game apparatus. The cartridge includes a terminal placementregion that includes a first region and a second region and that includea plurality of terminals configured to electrically connect to terminalsof the game apparatus in the cartridge insertion slot. A direction inwhich the cartridge is inserted into or removed from the cartridgeinsertion slot is a first direction, and a direction perpendicular tothe first direction is a second direction, the second region and thefirst region are adjacent to each other in the first direction. Thefirst region is closer in the terminal placement region to the front endof the cartridge than the second region is. The plurality of terminalsinclude at least a first data input/output terminal, a second datainput/output terminal, a strobe terminal, a clock terminal, a powersupply terminal, and a ground terminal. The clock terminal and the firstdata input/output terminal are in the first region. The strobe terminaland the second data input/output terminal are in the second region. Aplurality of long terminals are each located with a first portion in thefirst region and a second portion in the second region. The strobeterminal and the clock terminal are sequentially arranged in the firstdirection. The second data input/output terminal and the first datainput/output terminal are sequentially arranged in the first direction.The plurality of long terminals include the power supply terminal andthe ground terminal. One of the plurality of long terminals is adjacentto the second data input/output terminal and the first data input/outputterminal on at least one side of the one of the long terminals in thesecond direction. One of the plurality of long terminals is adjacent tothe strobe terminal and the clock terminal on at least one side of theone of the long terminals in the second direction.

Based on the above, two data input/output terminals are placed so as tobe arranged in a first direction, and a strobe terminal and a clockterminal are also placed so as to be arranged in the first direction.Thus, it is possible to shorten a length in a second direction. Further,a long terminal as a power supply terminal or a ground terminal isprovided adjacent to first and second data input/output terminals in thesecond direction. The power supply terminal or the ground terminal ofwhich the voltage infrequently changes is provided adjacent to the firstand second data input/output terminals. Thus, the first and second datainput/output terminals are less likely to be influenced by noise. Thepower supply terminal or the ground terminal is also provided adjacentto the strobe terminal and the clock terminal and therefore is lesslikely to be influenced by noise. Thus, it is possible to perform stabledata communication. Further, a cartridge is inserted into or removedfrom a cartridge insertion slot from a front end of the cartridge, theclock terminal (an input terminal) is placed in a first region on thefront end side of the cartridge, and the strobe terminal (an outputterminal) is placed in a second region closer to the rear end of thecartridge. Thus, for example, when a cartridge is removed from a gameapparatus, an output terminal on the cartridge side (a strobe terminalon the cartridge side) does not come into contact with an outputterminal on the game apparatus (a clock terminal on the game apparatusside). Thus, it is possible to pull out the cartridge from the gameapparatus more securely.

In addition, in another configuration, at least part of the first datainput/output terminal may be aligned in the first direction with atleast part of the second data input/output terminal.

According to the above configuration, for example, in a case where thesecond data input/output terminal is moved in the first direction, thesecond data input/output terminal overlaps the first data input/outputterminal, and the first data input/output terminal and the second datainput/output terminal are not substantially shifted in the seconddirection. Thus, it is possible to shorten the length in the seconddirection of the cartridge.

In addition, in another configuration, the first data input/outputterminal may be configured to connect to a first terminal of the gameapparatus when the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge insertionslot, and the second data input/output terminal may be configured toconnect to the second terminal of the game apparatus when the cartridgeis inserted into the cartridge insertion slot. The first datainput/output terminal is placed such that inserting the cartridge intothe cartridge insertion slot causes the second terminal of the gameapparatus to contact the first data input/output terminal.

According to the above configuration, in the process of inserting thecartridge through a cartridge insertion slot of the game apparatus, asecond terminal of the game apparatus comes into contact with the firstdata input/output terminal provided in the first region of thecartridge. If the cartridge is inserted further, the second terminal ofthe game apparatus comes into contact with the second data input/outputterminal. That is, the first data input/output terminal and the seconddata input/output terminal are not substantially shifted in the seconddirection. Thus, it is possible to shorten the length in the seconddirection of the cartridge.

In addition, in another configuration, the first data input/outputterminal and the second data input/output terminal may have the sameposition in the second direction.

According to the above configuration, the positions in the seconddirection of the first data input/output terminal and the second datainput/output terminal coincide with each other. Thus, it is possible toreduce the length in the second direction of the cartridge.

In addition, in another configuration, the plurality of long terminalsmay include a chip-enable terminal. One of the ground terminal, thepower supply terminal, and the chip-enable terminal may be adjacent tothe first data input/output terminal and the second data input/outputterminal on at least one side in the second direction.

According to the above configuration, a chip-enable terminal is placedas a long terminal. The chip-enable terminal is a terminal of which thevoltage infrequently changes. While data communication is performed viaa data input/output terminal, the voltage is almost constant. A longterminal is placed adjacent to two data input/output terminals arrangedin the first direction. Thus, the two data input/output terminals areless likely to be influenced by noise from the adjacent long terminal.Further, with the long terminal present adjacent to the two datainput/output terminals, it is possible to reduce the influence of thetwo data input/output terminals on the surroundings.

In addition, in another configuration, one of the long terminals may beadjacent to at least a part of the first data input/output terminal onat least one side in the second direction, and may be adjacent to atleast a part of the second data input/output terminal on the at leastone side in the second direction.

According to the above configuration, at least parts of two datainput/output terminals are placed adjacent, in the second direction, toa single long terminal of which the voltage infrequently changes. Thus,the two data input/output terminals are less likely to be influenced bynoise from the adjacent long terminal. Further, with the adjacent longterminal, it is possible to reduce the influence of the two datainput/output terminals on the surroundings.

In addition, in another configuration, at least part of the first datainput/output terminal is aligned in the second direction with the longterminal adjacent to the first data input/output terminal, and at leastpart of the second data input/output terminal is aligned in the seconddirection with the long terminal adjacent to the second datainput/output terminal.

According to the above configuration, at least parts of two datainput/output terminals are placed adjacent, in the second direction, toa single long terminal of which the voltage infrequently changes. Thus,the two data input/output terminals are less likely to be influenced bynoise from the adjacent long terminal. Further, with the adjacent longterminal, it is possible to reduce the influence of the two datainput/output terminals on the surroundings.

In addition, in another configuration, one of the ground terminal, thepower supply terminal, and the chip-enable terminal may be adjacent tothe first data input/output terminal and the second data input/outputterminal on one side in the second direction. A first space may beadjacent to the first data input/output terminal and the second datainput/output terminal and may be (a) between a terminal adjacent to thefirst data input/output terminal and the second data input/outputterminal and (b) between the first data input/output terminal and thesecond data input/output terminal, a second space is (a) between thefirst data input/output terminal and the long terminal adjacent on theone side and (b) between the second data input/output terminal and thelong terminal adjacent on the one side. The first space is wider thanthe second space.

According to the above configuration, a long terminal is providedadjacent to one of the first and second data input/output terminals, anda gap is provided adjacent to the other. Thus, for example, it ispossible to place in the gap a conducting wire, a separator, or the likefor the first data input/output terminal.

In addition, in another configuration, the ground terminal may beadjacent to the clock terminal and the strobe terminal on at least oneside in the second direction.

According to the above configuration, the ground terminal is placedadjacent to the clock terminal and the strobe terminal. Thus, the clockterminal and the strobe terminal are less likely to be influenced bynoise from the adjacent ground terminal. Further, with the adjacentground terminal, it is possible to reduce the influence of the clockterminal and the strobe terminal on the surroundings.

In addition, in another configuration, a ground terminal may be adjacentto at least a part of the clock terminal in the second direction and maybe adjacent to at least a part of the strobe terminal in the seconddirection.

According to the above configuration, at least parts of the clockterminal and the strobe terminal are placed adjacent, in the seconddirection, to a single ground terminal of which the voltage infrequentlychanges. Thus, the clock terminal and the strobe terminal are lesslikely to be influenced by noise from the adjacent ground terminal.Further, with the adjacent ground terminal, it is possible to reduce theinfluence of the clock terminal and the strobe terminal on thesurroundings.

In addition, in another configuration, at least part of the groundterminal adjacent to the clock terminal and the strobe terminal may bealigned in the second direction to the clock terminal and the strobeterminal.

According to the above configuration, at least parts of the clockterminal and the strobe terminal are placed adjacent, in the seconddirection, to a single ground terminal of which the voltage infrequentlychanges. Thus, the clock terminal and the strobe terminal are lesslikely to be influenced by noise from the adjacent ground terminal.Further, with the adjacent ground terminal, it is possible to reduce theinfluence of the clock terminal and the strobe terminal on thesurroundings.

In addition, in another configuration, the plurality of long terminalsmay include a reset terminal. The reset terminal may be at one end ofthe terminal placement region in the second direction.

According to the above configuration, a reset terminal is placed at oneend in a terminal placement region. Thus, it is possible to make thereset terminal less likely to be influenced by another terminal. Thus,for example, it is possible to prevent circuits in the cartridge frombeing reset without expectation, or prevent the reset of the circuits inthe cartridge from being canceled without expectation.

In addition, in another configuration, a ground terminal may be adjacentto the reset terminal on the other end side of the terminal placementregion.

According to the above configuration, the reset terminal is placed atone end of the terminal placement region, and the ground terminal isprovided adjacent to the reset terminal in the direction of the otherend. Thus, it is possible to make the reset terminal less likely to beinfluenced by the surroundings. Thus, for example, it is possible toprevent circuits in the cartridge from being reset without expectation,or prevent the reset of the circuits in the cartridge from beingcanceled without expectation.

In addition, in another configuration, the plurality of terminals mayinclude a third data input/output terminal in the first region and afourth data input/output terminal in the second region. The third datainput/output terminal and the fourth data input/output terminal may bearranged sequentially in the first direction. The power supply terminalmay be adjacent to the second data input/output terminal and the firstdata input/output terminal on one side in the second direction and maybe adjacent to the third data input/output terminal and the fourth datainput/output terminal on the other side in the second direction.

According to the above configuration, the power supply terminal isplaced so as to be sandwiched between a plurality of data input/outputterminals. Thus, each data input/output terminal is less likely to beinfluenced by noise from the power supply terminal. Further, with thepower supply terminal adjacent to the data input/output terminal, it ispossible to reduce the influence of the data input/output terminal onthe surroundings.

In addition, in another configuration, a plurality of data input/outputterminals including the first data input/output terminal and the seconddata input/output terminal and the power supply terminal may be arrangedalternately in the second direction in the terminal placement region.

According to the above configuration, in at least a part of the terminalplacement region, a data input/output terminal and the power supplyterminal are placed so as to be arranged alternately in the seconddirection. Thus, the data input/output terminal is less likely to beinfluenced by noise from the power supply terminal. Further, with thepower supply terminal, it is possible to reduce the influence of thedata input/output terminal on the surroundings.

In addition, in another configuration, the plurality of long terminalsmay include a chip-enable terminal. The power supply terminal and thechip-enable terminal may be first-type terminals, and the plurality ofdata input/output terminals may be second-type terminals, the first-typeterminals and the second-type terminals may be arranged alternately inthe second direction in the terminal placement region.

According to the above configuration, in at least a part of the terminalplacement region, a terminal (the chip-enable terminal or the powersupply terminal) of which the voltage infrequently changes and aterminal (the data input/output terminal) of which the voltagefrequently changes are placed so as to be arranged alternately in thesecond direction. Thus, the data input/output terminal is less likely tobe influenced by noise from a terminal around the data input/outputterminal. Further, with the terminal of which the voltage infrequentlychanges, it is possible to reduce the influence of the data input/outputterminal on the surroundings.

In addition, in another configuration, the second-type terminals mayinclude the clock terminal or the strobe terminal. The first-typeterminals and the second-type terminals may be arranged alternately inthe second direction in the terminal placement region.

According to the above configuration, in at least a part of the terminalplacement region, a terminal (the chip-enable terminal or the powersupply terminal) of which the voltage infrequently changes and aterminal (the data input/output terminal, the clock terminal, or thestrobe terminal) of which the voltage frequently changes can be placedso as to be arranged alternately in the second direction. Thus, the datainput/output terminal, the clock terminal, and the strobe terminal areless likely to be influenced by noise from terminals around the datainput/output terminal, the clock terminal, and the strobe terminal.Further, it is possible to reduce the influence of the data input/outputterminal, the clock terminal, and the strobe terminal on thesurroundings.

In addition, in another configuration, the first-type terminals mayinclude the ground terminal. The first-type terminals and thesecond-type terminals may be arranged alternately in the seconddirection in the terminal placement region.

According to the above configuration, in at least a part of the terminalplacement region, a terminal (the chip-enable terminal, the power supplyterminal, or the ground terminal) of which the voltage infrequentlychanges and a terminal (the data input/output terminal, the clockterminal, or the strobe terminal) of which the voltage frequentlychanges can be placed so as to be arranged alternately in the seconddirection. Thus, the data input/output terminal, the clock terminal, andthe strobe terminal are less likely to be influenced by noise fromterminals around the data input/output terminal, the clock terminal, andthe strobe terminal. Further, it is possible to reduce the influence ofthe data input/output terminal, the clock terminal, and the strobeterminal on the surroundings.

In addition, in another configuration, the plurality of terminals mayinclude a reset terminal. The reset terminal may be at one end of theterminal placement region. The ground terminal may be at the other endof the terminal placement region. The first-type terminals and thesecond-type terminals are placed alternately from the other end to theone end. A data input/output terminal may be adjacent to the second-typeterminals further on the one end side, and the reset terminal may beadjacent to the data input/output terminal further on the one end side.

According to the above configuration, a data input/output terminal (asecond-type terminal) is provided adjacent, further in the direction ofone end of the terminal placement region, to a second-type terminalplaced alternately from the other end to the one end of the terminalplacement region. Further, the reset terminal is provided further in thedirection of the one end.

In addition, in another configuration, the power supply terminal mayinclude a first power supply terminal and a second power supplyterminal.

According to the above configuration, two power supply terminals can beincluded. For example, it is possible to separate a power supply for amemory control circuit and a power supply for the data input/outputterminal.

In addition, in another configuration, the first power supply terminalmay be configured to connect to a power supply of approximately 3.1 V,and the second power supply terminal may be configured to connect to apower supply of approximately 1.8 V.

In addition, in another configuration, the first power supply terminalmay be configured to supply power to drive a control circuit of amemory, and the second power supply terminal may be configured to supplypower to the plurality of data input/output terminals.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to separate thepower supply for the memory control circuit and the power supply for thedata input/output terminal.

In addition, in another configuration, the long terminals and sets oftwo terminals in the second region and the first region and arranged inthe first direction may be placed alternately in the second direction inthe terminal placement region.

According to the above configuration, a single long terminal and twoterminals are placed alternately in the second direction. Thus, it ispossible to shorten the length in the second direction of the cartridge.

In addition, in another configuration, a plurality of terminal groupseach including one of the sets of the two terminals and one of the longterminals may be arranged in the second direction in a part of theterminal placement region. A distance in the second direction betweenthe long terminal and each of the two terminals in each of the terminalgroups may be shorter than a distance in the second direction betweentwo of the terminal groups adjacent to each other.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to provide aplurality of terminal groups in the terminal placement region andshorten the distance in the second direction between terminals in asingle terminal group. Thus, it is possible to shorten the length in thesecond direction of the cartridge. Further, for example, it is possibleto reduce the influence of two terminals adjacent to a long terminal onthe surroundings.

In addition, in another configuration, the cartridge may further includea conducting wire between the terminal groups. The conducting wire maybe connected to the terminals in the first region.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to provide, in thegap between terminal groups, wiring for a terminal placed in the firstregion (i.e., a terminal provided on the side to be inserted first intothe cartridge insertion slot). Thus, it is possible to achieve wiring ata lower cost than providing wiring within a substrate.

In addition, in another configuration, the cartridge may further includea plurality of gaps between the terminal groups in the terminalplacement region, and two conducting wires may be in at least one of thegaps between the plurality of terminal groups. Each of the twoconducting wires may be connected to a corresponding one of twoterminals in the first region.

According to the above configuration, wiring for two terminals placed inthe first region is provided in the gap between terminal groups. Thus,it is possible to reduce the number of gaps between terminal groups andmake the width of the cartridge small.

In addition, in another configuration, at least a part of the conductingwire may extend in a third direction different from the first directionand the second direction from a side surface, in the second direction,of one of the terminals.

According to the above configuration, for example, a conducting wire canbe formed so as to extend obliquely from the side surface of a terminal.Thus, it is possible to make a change in the impedance smaller than acase where a conducting wire is bent at a right angle in the middle.Thus, it is possible to reduce the generation of noise.

In addition, in another configuration, a front end of a ground terminalmay be located closest to the front end of the cartridge comparted tofront ends of other terminals, and the ground terminal may be one of theterminals in the first region and the plurality of terminals.

According to the above configuration, for example, when the cartridge isviewed such that the first region is on the lower side, and the secondregion is on the upper side (i.e., when the cartridge is viewed suchthat the front end of the cartridge is on the lower side, and the rearend of the cartridge is on the upper side), the lower end of the groundterminal (the front end of the ground terminal) is located at the lowestposition. Thus, when the cartridge is inserted into the cartridgeinsertion slot of the game apparatus, it is possible to configure theground terminal to come into contact with a ground terminal of the gameapparatus first.

In addition, in another configuration, the plurality of long terminalsmay include a detection terminal configured to allow the game apparatusto detect the cartridge. A front end of the detection terminal islocated furthest from the front end of the cartridge compared to frontends of the terminals in the first region and front ends of theplurality of long terminals.

According to the above configuration, for example, when the cartridge isviewed such that the first region is on the lower side, and the secondregion is on the upper side (i.e., when the cartridge is viewed suchthat the front end of the cartridge is on the lower side, and the rearend of the cartridge is on the upper side), the lower end of a detectionterminal (the front end of the detection terminal) is located at thehighest position among terminals placed in the region on the lower sideand a plurality of long terminals. That is, the position of the lowerend of the detection terminal is located above the position of the lowerend of the terminals placed in the region on the lower side and thepositions of the lower ends of the plurality of long terminals. Thus,when the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge insertion slot of thegame apparatus, it is possible to bring the detection terminal intocontact with a detection terminal of the game apparatus last. Thus, itis possible to cause the game apparatus to detect the cartridge afterall the terminals on the cartridge side come into contact with theterminals of the game apparatus.

In addition, in another configuration, the detection terminal may doubleas a ground terminal.

According to the above configuration, the detection terminal can doubleas a ground terminal. Thus, it is possible to reduce the number ofterminals.

In addition, in another configuration, a front end of the power supplyterminal may be located a first distance from the front end of thecartridge; and a front end of the clock terminal and a front end of thefirst data input/output terminal are further from the front end of thecartridge than the first distance.

According to the above configuration, for example, when the cartridge isviewed such that the first region is on the lower side, and the secondregion is on the upper side (i.e., when the cartridge is viewed suchthat the front end of the cartridge is on the lower side, and the rearend of the cartridge is on the upper side), the lower end of the powersupply terminal (the front end of the power supply terminal) is locatedbelow the lower end of the clock terminal (the front end of the clockterminal) and the lower end of the data input/output terminal (the frontend of the first data input/output terminal) placed in the region on thelower side. Thus, when the cartridge is inserted into the cartridgeinsertion slot of the game apparatus, it is possible to bring the powersupply terminal into contact with the terminal on the game apparatusside before the clock terminal and the data input/output terminal. Thus,for example, in a case where power is supplied from the game apparatusto the memory control circuit in the cartridge, it is possible to supplypower to the memory control circuit before the clock terminal and thedata input/output terminal come into contact with the terminals on thegame apparatus side.

In addition, in another configuration, the plurality of long terminalsmay include a chip-enable terminal. The front end of the power supplyterminal may be located closer to the front end of the cartridge than(a) a front end of the first data input/output terminal, (b) a front endof the chip-enable terminal, and (c) a front end of the clock terminal.

According to the above configuration, for example, when the cartridge isviewed such that the first region is on the lower side, and the secondregion is on the upper side (i.e., when the cartridge is viewed suchthat the front end of the cartridge is on the lower side, and the rearend of the cartridge is on the upper side), the lower end of the powersupply terminal is located below the lower end of the data input/outputterminal placed in the region on the lower side, the lower end of thechip-enable terminal, and the lower end of the clock terminal. Thus,when the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge insertion slot of thegame apparatus, it is possible to bring the power supply terminal intocontact with the terminal on the game apparatus side before the clockterminal, the chip-enable terminal, and the data input/output terminal.Thus, for example, in a case where power is supplied from the gameapparatus to the memory control circuit in the cartridge, it is possibleto supply power to the memory control circuit before the clock terminal,the chip-enable terminal, and the data input/output terminal come intocontact with the terminals on the game apparatus side.

In addition, in another configuration, the terminals in the first regionand the plurality of long terminals may be configured to come intocontact with the terminals of the game apparatus in different orderswhen the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge insertion slot of thegame apparatus.

According to the above configuration, when the cartridge is insertedinto or removed from the cartridge insertion slot of the game apparatus,it is possible to bring terminals into contact with terminals on thegame apparatus side in different orders.

In addition, in another configuration, a ground terminal may extendfurther in the first direction than all of the other terminals in thefirst region and the plurality of terminals so that the ground terminalwill contact a terminal of the game cartridge insertion slot before allof the other terminals in the first region and the plurality ofterminals.

According to the above configuration, when the cartridge is insertedinto the cartridge insertion slot of the game apparatus, it is possibleto bring the ground terminal into contact with the ground terminal ofthe game apparatus first.

In addition, in another configuration, the plurality of long terminalsmay include a detection terminal configured to allow the game apparatusto detect the cartridge. The detection terminal may extend the least inthe first direction of all of the terminals in the first region and theplurality of long terminals so that the detection terminal contacts aterminal of the game apparatus last among all of the terminals in thefirst region and the plurality of long terminals when the cartridge isinserted into the cartridge insertion slot of the game apparatus.

According to the above configuration, when the cartridge is insertedinto the cartridge insertion slot of the game apparatus, the detectionterminal on the cartridge side comes into contact with the detectionterminal of the game apparatus last. Thus, it is possible to cause thegame apparatus to detect the cartridge after all the terminals on thecartridge side come into contact with the terminals of the gameapparatus. It is possible to start data communication between the gameapparatus and the cartridge after all the terminals are certainlyconnected together.

In addition, in another configuration, the detection terminal of thecartridge may double as a ground terminal.

According to the above configuration, the detection terminal can doubleas a ground terminal. Thus, it is possible to reduce the number ofterminals.

In addition, in another configuration, the power supply terminal mayextend further in the first direction than the clock terminal and thedata input/output terminal so that the power supply terminal comes intocontact with a terminal of the game apparatus before the clock terminaland the first data input/output terminal when the cartridge is insertedinto the cartridge insertion slot of the game apparatus.

According to the above configuration, the power supply terminal comesinto contact with the terminal on the game apparatus side before theclock terminal and the data input/output terminal placed in the firstregion. Thus, for example, in a case where power is supplied from thegame apparatus to the memory control circuit in the cartridge, it ispossible to supply power to the memory control circuit before the clockterminal and the data input/output terminal placed in the first regioncome into contact with the terminals on the game apparatus side.

In addition, in another configuration, the plurality of long terminalsmay include a chip-enable terminal. The cartridge may be configured sothat the first data input/output terminal, the chip-enable terminal, andthe clock terminal do not extend as far in the first direction as thepower supply terminal so that the data input/output terminal in thefirst region, the chip-enable terminal, and the clock terminal come intocontact with a terminal of the game apparatus after the power supplyterminal when the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge insertionslot of the game apparatus.

According to the above configuration, the clock terminal, the datainput/output terminal, and the chip-enable terminal come into contactwith the terminals on the game apparatus side after the power supplyterminal. Thus, for example, in a case where power is supplied from thegame apparatus to the memory control circuit in the cartridge, it ispossible to supply power to the memory control circuit before the clockterminal, the data input/output terminal, and the chip-enable terminalcome into contact with the terminals on the game apparatus side.

In addition, in another configuration, the plurality of long terminalsmay include a detection terminal with which the game apparatus detectsthe cartridge and which is configured to short-circuit two terminals inthe cartridge insertion slot of the game apparatus that are at leastpartially aligned in the first direction.

According to the above configuration, two terminals arranged in thefirst direction and provided in the game apparatus are short-circuited,whereby the game apparatus can detect the cartridge.

In addition, in another configuration, two terminals in the cartridgeinsertion slot of the game apparatus that are at least partially alignedin the first direction may be a terminal on the cartridge insertion slotside and a detection terminal on a far side. The detection terminal ofthe cartridge may be configured to come into contact with the detectionterminal of the game apparatus last among all of the terminals in thefirst region and the plurality of long terminals when the cartridge isinserted into the cartridge insertion slot of the game apparatus.

According to the above configuration, the detection terminal on thecartridge side comes into contact with the detection terminal on thegame apparatus last. Thus, it is possible to start data communicationbetween the game apparatus and the cartridge after all the terminals arecertainly connected together.

In addition, in another configuration, the detection terminal of thecartridge may double as a ground terminal.

According to the above configuration, the detection terminal can doubleas a ground terminal. Thus, it is possible to reduce the number ofterminals.

In addition, in another configuration, the cartridge may further includeat least one separator located between the plurality of terminals.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to provideseparators between terminals.

In addition, in another configuration, the at least one separator maycover a conducting wire connected to at least one of the plurality ofterminals.

In addition, in another configuration, the at least one separator mayconceal the conducting wire.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to protectconducting wires using the separators.

In addition, in another configuration, the conducting wire may beconnected to the terminals in the first region and extend from the frontend to the rear end of the cartridge.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to achieve wiringat a low cost and protect the wiring using the separators.

In addition, in another configuration, the separator may be one of aplurality of separators, and at least one of the plurality of separatorsmay cover two conducting wires.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to protect wiringbetween two terminals using a separator.

In addition, in another configuration, the conducting wire may extend ina third direction different from the first direction and the seconddirection, from a side surface, in the second direction, of one of theterminals.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to form aconducting wire so as to extend obliquely from the side surface of aterminal, and it is possible to make a change in the impedance smallerthan a case where a conducting wire is bent at a right angle in themiddle. Thus, it is possible to reduce the generation of noise.

In addition, in another configuration, when the cartridge is viewed aside of the cartridge where the plurality of terminals are exposed, theterminal placement region may be divided into a plurality of regions bythe at least one separator, and the plurality of terminals may be in theregions.

According to the above configuration, for example, it is possible, usingthe separators, to prevent a user's fingers from touching terminalsplaced in a plurality of regions.

In addition, in another configuration, the at least one separator may bea part of a housing of the cartridge.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to form theseparators at a low cost.

In addition, in another configuration, the cartridge may further includean insertion slot configured to receive a storage medium.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to detachablyinsert an external storage medium into the cartridge. Thus, the gameapparatus can read data from the external storage medium or write datato the external storage medium. For example, as the external storagemedium detachably inserted into the cartridge, a general-purpose storagemedium may be used.

In addition, another example of the exemplary embodiment is a cartridgehaving a front end and a rear end and capable of connecting to a gameapparatus by inserting the cartridge, the front end first, into acartridge insertion slot of the game apparatus. The cartridge includes aplurality of terminals configured to electrically connect to terminalsof the game apparatus in the cartridge insertion slot. A direction inwhich the cartridge is inserted into or removed from the cartridgeinsertion slot is a first direction. The plurality of terminals mayinclude a first data input/output terminal and a second datainput/output terminal sequentially arranged in the first direction. Thefirst data input/output terminal is closer to the front end of thecartridge than the second input/output terminal is. The cartridge isconfigured to connect to the game apparatus by inserting the cartridgeinto the cartridge insertion slot so that the first data input/outputterminal is connected to a first terminal of the game apparatus, and thesecond data input/output terminal is connected to a second terminal ofthe game apparatus. The first data input/output terminal is placed suchthat the second terminal of the game apparatus comes into contact withthe first data input/output terminal during insertion of the cartridgeinto the cartridge insertion slot.

According to the above configuration, a cartridge is inserted or removedfrom into a cartridge insertion slot from a front end of the cartridge.A second data input/output terminal and a first data input/outputterminal are placed so as to be arranged in a first direction, and thefirst data input/output terminal is placed closer to the front end ofthe cartridge than the second data input/output terminal is. In theprocess of inserting a cartridge into a cartridge insertion slot of agame apparatus, a second terminal of the game apparatus comes intocontact with the first data input/output terminal of the cartridge. Ifthe cartridge is inserted further, the second terminal of the gameapparatus comes into contact with the second data input/output terminal.That is, the first data input/output terminal and the second datainput/output terminal are not substantially shifted in a seconddirection. Thus, it is possible to shorten the length in the seconddirection of the cartridge.

In addition, in another configuration, at least part of the first datainput/output terminal may be aligned in the first direction with atleast part of the second data input/output terminal.

According to the above configuration, the first data input/outputterminal and the second data input/output terminal are not substantiallyshifted in the second direction. Thus, it is possible to shorten thelength in the second direction of the cartridge.

In addition, in another configuration, a direction perpendicular to thefirst direction may be a second direction. A chip-enable terminal or apower supply terminal may be adjacent to the first data input/outputterminal and the second data input/output terminal in the seconddirection.

According to the above configuration, a chip-enable terminal or a powersupply terminal of which the voltage infrequently changes is placedadjacent, in the second direction, to a data input/output terminal ofwhich the voltage frequently changes. Thus, the data input/outputterminal is less likely to be influenced by noise. Further, thechip-enable terminal or the power supply terminal is placed adjacent tothe data input/output terminal. Thus, it is possible to reduce theinfluence of the data input/output terminal on the surroundings.

In addition, another example of the exemplary embodiment is a cartridgehaving a front end and a rear end and capable of connecting to a gameapparatus by inserting the cartridge, the front end first, into acartridge insertion slot of the game apparatus. The cartridge includes aplurality of terminals electrically connected to terminals of the gameapparatus in the cartridge insertion slot. The plurality of terminalsinclude a clock terminal configured to receive a clock signal from thegame apparatus, and a strobe terminal configured to output a strobesignal to the game apparatus. A direction in which the cartridge isinserted into or removed from the cartridge insertion slot may be afirst direction. The strobe terminal and the clock terminal are arrangedsequentially in the first direction. The clock terminal is closer to thefront end of the cartridge than the strobe terminal is to the front endof the cartridge.

According to the above configuration, a cartridge is inserted or removedfrom into a cartridge insertion slot from a front end of the cartridge.A strobe terminal (an output terminal) and a clock terminal (an inputterminal) are placed so as to be arranged in a first direction, and theclock terminal is placed closer to the front end of the cartridge thanthe strobe terminal is. Thus, for example, when a cartridge is removedfrom a game apparatus, an output terminal on the cartridge side (thestrobe terminal on the cartridge side) does not come into contact withan output terminal on the game apparatus side (a clock terminal on agame apparatus side). Thus, it is possible to pull out the cartridgefrom the game apparatus more securely.

In addition, in another configuration, at least part of the clockterminal may be aligned in the first direction with at least part of thestrobe terminal.

According to the above configuration, the clock terminal and the strobeterminal are not substantially shifted in the second direction. Thus, itis possible to shorten the length in the second direction of thecartridge.

In addition, in another configuration, when the cartridge is connectedto the game apparatus by inserting the cartridge into the cartridgeinsertion slot, the strobe terminal of the cartridge is connected to astrobe terminal of the game apparatus, and the clock terminal of thecartridge is connected to a clock terminal of the game apparatus. Theclock terminal may be placed such that during insertion of the cartridgeinto the cartridge insertion slot, the strobe terminal of the gameapparatus comes into contact with the clock terminal of the cartridge.

According to the above configuration, in the process of inserting thecartridge into the cartridge insertion slot of the game apparatus, theclock terminal on the cartridge side is present on a path through whichthe strobe terminal on the game apparatus side passes. That is, theclock terminal and the strobe terminal are not substantially shifted inthe second direction. Thus, it is possible to shorten the length in thesecond direction of the cartridge.

In addition, in another configuration, a direction perpendicular to thefirst direction may be a second direction, a ground terminal may beprovided adjacent to the clock terminal and the strobe terminal in thesecond direction.

According to the above configuration, a ground terminal is placedadjacent to the clock terminal and the strobe terminal, whereby theclock terminal and the strobe terminal are less likely to be influencedby noise. Further, it is possible to reduce the influence of the clockterminal and the strobe terminal on the surroundings.

In addition, another example of the exemplary embodiment is a cartridgehaving a front end and a rear end and capable of connecting to a gameapparatus by inserting the cartridge, the front end first, into acartridge insertion slot of the game apparatus. The cartridge includes aplurality of terminals configured to be electrically connect toterminals of the game apparatus in the cartridge insertion slot. Adirection in which the cartridge is inserted into or removed from thecartridge insertion slot is a first direction. A direction perpendicularto the first direction is a second direction. The plurality of terminalsof the cartridge include at least four short terminals and a longterminal with a length in the first direction that is greater thanlengths of the short terminals. The four short terminals include a firstset of short terminals including two short terminals arrangedsequentially in the first direction, and a second set of short terminalsincluding two short terminals arranged sequentially in the firstdirection and with positions different from the first set of shortterminals in the second direction. The long terminal is between thefirst set of short terminals and the second set of short terminals. Atleast part of each of the four short terminals is aligned in the seconddirection with the long terminal. The long terminal is a power supplyterminal or a chip-enable terminal. Each of the short terminals is aterminal of which a voltage is configured to change more frequently thana voltage of the long terminal.

According to the above configuration, at least two sets of two shortterminals arranged in a first direction are provided, and a longterminal is provided between the two sets of the short terminals. Eachshort terminal is a terminal of which the voltage frequently changes,and the long terminal is a power supply terminal or a chip-enableterminal of which the voltage infrequently changes. Thus, for example,it is possible to prevent noise from entering the short terminal presentadjacent, in the second direction, to the long terminal. Further, withthe long terminal provided adjacent to the two short terminals, it ispossible to reduce the influence of the two short terminals on thesurroundings.

In addition, in another configuration, the four short terminals may bedata input/output terminals. The long terminal may be a power supplyterminal.

According to the above configuration, the power supply terminal of whichthe voltage infrequently changes is provided adjacent to a datainput/output terminal. Thus, the data input/output terminal is lesslikely to be influenced by noise from the power supply terminal.Further, with the power supply terminal provided adjacent to theinput/output terminal, it is possible to reduce the influence of thedata input/output terminal on the surroundings.

In addition, in another configuration, the first set of short terminalsmay be a clock terminal and a strobe terminal. The second set of shortterminals may be two data input/output terminals. The long terminal maybe a chip-enable terminal.

According to the above configuration, the chip-enable terminal of whichthe voltage infrequently changes is provided adjacent to a clockterminal and a strobe terminal. Thus, the clock terminal and the strobeterminal are less likely to be influenced by noise from the chip-enableterminal. Further, for example, with the chip-enable terminal, it ispossible to reduce the influence of two data input/output terminals onthe surroundings.

In addition, in another configuration, the clock terminal may be closerto the front end of the cartridge than the strobe terminal is to thefront end of the cartridge.

According to the above configuration, the clock terminal (an inputterminal) and the strobe terminal (an output terminal) are placed so asto be arranged in the first direction, and the clock terminal is placedon the side to be inserted into a cartridge insertion slot first. Thus,for example, when a cartridge is removed from a game apparatus, anoutput terminal on the cartridge side (the strobe terminal on thecartridge side) does not come into contact with an output terminal onthe game apparatus side (a clock terminal on the game apparatus side).Thus, it is possible to pull out the cartridge from the game apparatusmore securely.

In addition, another example of the exemplary embodiment is a cartridgecapable of connecting to a game apparatus by inserting the cartridgeinto a cartridge insertion slot of the game apparatus. The cartridgeincludes a first terminal group and a second terminal group each withterminals configured to electrically connect to the game apparatus. Thefirst terminal group includes a power supply terminal. The secondterminal group includes a data input/output terminal. The terminals ofthe first terminal group and the terminals of the second terminal arealternately arranged in a predetermined direction.

According to the above configuration, a power supply terminal as a firstterminal and a data input/output terminal as a second terminal areplaced so as to be arranged alternately in a predetermined direction.Thus, for example, the data input/output terminal is less likely to beinfluenced by noise than a case where data input/output terminals areplaced so as to be arranged in the predetermined direction. Further, itis possible to reduce the influence of the data input/output terminal onthe surroundings.

In addition, in another configuration, the second terminal group mayinclude a plurality of data input/output terminals. The first terminalgroup and the plurality of data input/output terminals may bealternately arranged in a predetermined direction.

In addition, in another configuration, the first terminal group mayinclude a plurality of power supply terminals. The plurality of powersupply terminals and the plurality of data input/output terminals may bealternately arranged in a predetermined direction.

In addition, in another configuration, the first terminal group mayinclude a chip-enable terminal, and the second terminal group mayinclude a clock terminal or a strobe terminal. The terminals of thefirst terminal group and the terminals of the second terminal group maybe alternately arranged in a predetermined direction.

According to the above configuration, a first terminal (a power supplyterminal or a chip-enable terminal) and a second terminal (a datainput/output terminal, a clock terminal, or a strobe terminal) areplaced so as to be arranged alternately. Thus, the second terminal isless likely to be influenced by noise. Further, it is possible to reducethe influence of the second terminal on the surroundings.

In addition, in another configuration, the first terminal group mayinclude a ground terminal. The terminals of the first terminal group andthe terminals of the second terminal group may be placed alternatelyarranged in a predetermined direction.

According to the above configuration, a first terminal (a power supplyterminal, a chip-enable terminal, or a ground terminal) and the secondterminal (a data input/output terminal, a clock terminal, or a strobeterminal) are placed so as to be arranged alternately. Thus, the secondterminal is less likely to be influenced by noise. Further, it ispossible to reduce the influence of the second terminal on thesurroundings.

In addition, in another configuration, the second terminal group mayinclude a strobe terminal and a clock terminal arranged sequentially ina first direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction. Thefirst direction may be a direction in which the cartridge is configuredto be inserted into the cartridge insertion slot. The clock terminal maybe on a side of the cartridge to be inserted into the cartridgeinsertion slot first when the cartridge is inserted into the cartridgeinsertion slot.

According to the above configuration, the second terminal (the datainput/output terminal, the clock terminal, or the strobe terminal) isless likely to be influenced by noise. Further, it is possible to reducethe influence of the second terminal on the surroundings. Further, theclock terminal (an input terminal) and the strobe terminal (an outputterminal) are placed so as to be arranged in a first direction, and theclock terminal is placed on the side to be inserted into a cartridgeinsertion slot first. Thus, for example, when a cartridge is removedfrom a game apparatus, an output terminal on the cartridge side (thestrobe terminal on the cartridge side) does not come into contact withan output terminal on the game apparatus side (a clock terminal on thegame apparatus side). Thus, it is possible to pull out the cartridgefrom the game apparatus more securely.

In addition, in another configuration, a reset terminal may be in oneend portion in the predetermined direction. The first terminal group mayinclude a ground terminal, a chip-enable terminal, a first power supplyterminal, and a second power supply terminal. The second terminal groupmay include a strobe terminal and a plurality of data input/outputterminals. The terminals of the first terminal group and the terminalsof the second terminal group may be alternately arranged from the otherend portion to the one end portion in the predetermined direction. Adata input/output terminal may be adjacent, on the one end portion side,to a terminal of the second terminal group placed alternately from theother end portion to the one end portion, and the reset terminal may beadjacent, on the one end portion side, to the data input/outputterminal.

According to the above configuration, the first terminal and the secondterminal are arranged alternately from the other end portion to one endportion. Further, a data input/output terminal is placed adjacent to thefirst terminal and the second terminal. Further, a reset terminal isprovided on the one end portion side. The reset terminal is provided inthe one end portion. Thus, it is possible to make an unnecessary signalless likely to enter the reset terminal.

In addition, in another configuration, a ground terminal may be betweenthe data input/output terminal and the reset terminal, and the datainput/output terminal is adjacent, on the one end portion side, to thesecond terminal group placed alternately from the other end portion tothe one end portion.

In addition, another example of the exemplary embodiment is a cartridgecapable of connecting to a game apparatus by inserting the cartridgeinto a cartridge insertion slot of the game apparatus. The cartridgeincludes: a plurality of first terminals configured to electricallyconnect to the game apparatus; and a plurality of second terminalsconfigured to electrically connect to the game apparatus. The pluralityof first terminals include at least one power supply terminal and atleast one ground terminal. The plurality of second terminals include atleast one data input/output terminal, a clock terminal, and a strobeterminal. A plurality of dense terminal regions each including at leastone of the first terminals and at least one of the second terminals. Theplurality of dense terminal regions are arranged sequentially in apredetermined direction. A distance in the predetermined directionbetween two of the dense terminal regions is longer than a distance inthe predetermined direction between the at least one first terminal andthe at least one second terminal in each dense terminal region.

According to the above configuration, a plurality of dense terminalregions including the first terminal and the second terminal are placed.The first terminal is a power supply terminal or a ground terminal andis a data input/output terminal, a clock terminal, or a strobe terminal.Such a first terminal is near the second terminal. Thus, the secondterminal is less likely to be influenced by noise. Thus, it is possibleto reduce the influence of the second terminal on the surroundings.Further, a gap is provided between dense terminal regions. Thus, it ispossible to make the dense terminal regions less likely to be influencedby each other.

In addition, in another configuration, the cartridge may further includea conducting wire connected to the at least one first terminal or the atleast one second terminal between the dense terminal regions.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to place aconducting wire in a gap between dense terminal regions.

In addition, in another configuration, the cartridge may further includeat least one separator between the dense terminal regions.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to cover the gapbetween the dense terminal regions using a separator. For example, it ispossible to make a user's fingers less likely to touch terminals.Further, in a case where a conducting wire is placed in the gap betweenthe dense terminal regions, it is possible to protect the conductingwire using a separator.

In addition, in another configuration, the plurality of dense terminalregions may include a first dense terminal region and a second denseterminal region adjacent to each other. A data input/output terminal inthe first dense terminal region and a data input/output terminal in thesecond dense terminal region may be adjacent to each other.

According to the above configuration, even if a data input/outputterminal in a first dense terminal region and a data input/outputterminal in a second dense terminal region are adjacent to each other, agap is provided between the data input/output terminals. Thus, it ispossible to make the data input/output terminals less likely to beinfluenced by each other.

In addition, in another configuration, the cartridge may further includea conducting wire from the data input/output terminal in the first denseterminal region and a conducting wire from the data input/outputterminal in the second dense terminal region that are both between thefirst dense terminal region and the second dense terminal region.

According to the above configuration, in the gap between the first denseterminal region and the second dense terminal region, a conducting wirefor a data input/output terminal in each dense terminal region isplaced. Thus, it is possible to reduce the number of gaps. Thus, it ispossible to make the width of the cartridge small.

In addition, another example of the exemplary embodiment is a cartridgecapable of connecting to a game apparatus by inserting the cartridgeinto a cartridge insertion slot of the game apparatus. The cartridgeincludes a terminal placement region in which a plurality of terminalsconfigured to electrically connect to terminals of the game apparatus inthe cartridge insertion slot are placed. A direction in which a userinserts the cartridge into the cartridge insertion slot is a firstdirection. A direction perpendicular to the first direction is a seconddirection. A single first terminal in the first direction and two secondterminals in the first direction are arranged alternately in the seconddirection in a part of the terminal placement region.

According to the above configuration, a single terminal and twoterminals arranged in a first direction are placed alternately in asecond direction in a part of a terminal placement region. The twoterminals are arranged in the first direction, whereby it is possible toshorten a length in the second direction.

In addition, in another configuration, each of the first terminals maybe one of a power supply terminal, a ground terminal, and a chip-enableterminal. Each of the second terminals may be one of a data input/outputterminal, a strobe terminal, and a clock terminal.

According to the above configuration, a first terminal (a power supplyterminal, a ground terminal, or a chip-enable terminal) of which thevoltage infrequently changes and a second terminal (a data input/outputterminal, a strobe terminal, or a clock terminal) of which the voltagefrequently changes are arranged alternately, whereby it is possible toreduce noise in the second terminal (the data input/output terminal, theclock terminal, or the strobe terminal). Further, it is possible toreduce the influence of the second terminal on the surroundings.

In addition, in another configuration, four terminal groups eachincluding one of the first terminals and at least one of the secondterminals may be sequentially arranged in the second direction in a partof the terminal placement region.

In addition, in another configuration, the second direction may be adirection from one end to the other end of the terminal placementregion. A part of the terminal placement region may include an array, inorder, of the first terminal, the second terminal, the first terminal,the second terminal, the first terminal, the second terminal, the firstterminal, and the second terminal from the one end to the other end. Inorder from the one end to the other end, the second terminal, the firstterminal, and the first terminal may be placed further on the other endof the second terminal furthest on the other end of the part of theterminal placement region.

According to the exemplary embodiment, for example, it is possible toshorten the width of a cartridge.

In addition, another example of the exemplary embodiment is a cartridgecapable of connecting to a game apparatus by inserting the cartridgeinto a cartridge insertion slot of the game apparatus, the cartridgecomprising: a first row of electrical contact points aligned in a firstdirection that is perpendicular to a second direction that the cartridgeis configured to be inserted into the cartridge insertion slot; and asecond row of electrical contact points aligned in the first directionand between the first row and an edge of the cartridge that is insertedinto the cartridge insertion slot, wherein the first row of electricalcontact points are part of, in order, a card detection terminal, astrobe signal terminal, a chip enable terminal, a first datainput/output terminal, a first power supply terminal, a second datainput/output terminal, a second power supply terminal, a third datainput/output terminal, a fourth data input/output terminal, a groundterminal and a reset terminal, the second row of electrical contactpoints are part of, in order, the card detection terminal, a clocksignal terminal, a fifth data input/output terminal, a sixth datainput/output terminal, a seventh data input/output terminal and aneighth data input/output terminal, spacing between the electricalcontact points is either a first distance or a second distance that isgreater than the first distance and the spacing is, in order, the firstdistance, the second distance, the first distance, the second distance,the first distance, the second distance, the first distance, the seconddistance, the first distance and the first distance, and the electricalcontact point in the first row and the electrical contact point in thesecond row that are both part of the card detection terminal are alignedin the second direction, the electrical contact point in the second rowthat is part of the clock signal terminal is aligned in the seconddirection with the electrical contact point in the first row that ispart of the strobe signal terminal, the electrical contact point in thesecond row that is part of the fifth data input/output terminal isaligned in the second direction with the electrical contact point in thefirst row that is part of the first data input/output terminal, theelectrical contact point in the second row that is part of the sixthdata input/output terminal is aligned in the second direction with theelectrical contact point in the first row that is part of the seconddata input/output terminal, the electrical contact point in the secondrow that is part of the seventh data input/output terminal is aligned inthe second direction with the electrical contact point in the first rowthat is part of the third data input/output terminal, and the electricalcontact point in the second row that is part of the eight datainput/output terminal is aligned in the second direction with theelectrical contact point in the first row that is part of the fourthdata input/output terminal.

These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of theexemplary embodiment will become more apparent from the followingdetailed description of the exemplary embodiment when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is an external perspective view showing a non-limiting exampleof the front surface of a cartridge 1;

FIG. 1B is an external perspective view showing a non-limiting exampleof the back surface of the cartridge 1;

FIG. 2 is an external view of a non-limiting example of the back surfaceof the cartridge 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a non-limiting example of the internalconfiguration of the cartridge 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a non-limiting example of the state wherethe cartridge 1 is connected to an information processing apparatus 50;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing non-limiting examples of the details ofterminals T1 to T16 provided in the cartridge 1;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a non-limiting example of the use ofthe terminals of the cartridge 1;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a non-limiting example in which theterminals T1, T2, and T3 are extracted, and is a diagram illustrating anon-limiting example of the placement of the terminals;

FIG. 8A is a diagram showing a non-limiting example of a case where theterminal T1 is present adjacent to the terminal T2 in the horizontaldirection of the terminal T2 in a part of the terminal T2 in the up-downdirection and is present adjacent to the terminal T3 in the horizontaldirection of the terminal T3 in a part of the terminal T3 in the up-downdirection;

FIG. 8B is a diagram showing a non-limiting example of a case where theterminal T1 is present adjacent to the terminal T2 in the horizontaldirection of the terminal T2 over the entirety of the terminal T2 in theup-down direction and is present adjacent to the terminal T3 in thehorizontal direction of the terminal T3 over the entirety of theterminal T3 in the up-down direction;

FIG. 8C is a diagram showing a non-limiting example of a case where theterminal T1 is present adjacent to the terminal T2 in the horizontaldirection of the terminal T2 over the entirety of the terminal T2 in theup-down direction and is not present adjacent to the terminal T3 in thehorizontal direction of the terminal T3 over the entirety of theterminal T3 in the up-down direction;

FIG. 8D is a diagram showing a non-limiting example of a case where theterminal T1 is not present adjacent to the terminal T2 in the horizontaldirection of the terminal T2 over the entirety of the terminal T2 in theup-down direction and is not present adjacent to the terminal T3 in thehorizontal direction of the terminal T3 over the entirety of theterminal T3 in the up-down direction;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a non-limiting example of the state of thevoltage of each terminal from when the cartridge 1 is connected to theinformation processing apparatus 50 to when data communication isperformed;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a non-limiting example of the spacesbetween the terminals and the positions of the lower ends of theterminals;

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a non-limiting example of the placement ofpins on the information processing apparatus 50 (main body) side;

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a non-limiting example of the connectionstate between the pins on the main body side and the terminals on thecartridge 1 side when the cartridge 1 is accommodated in a cartridgeaccommodation portion 51 on the main body side;

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a non-limiting example of the state wherein a case where the cartridge 1 is inserted into a cartridge insertionslot of the information processing apparatus 50, a terminal of thecartridge 1 comes into contact with a pin on the main body side first;

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a non-limiting example of the state of eachterminal when the cartridge 1 is inserted further (downward) from thestate in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a non-limiting example of the state of eachterminal when the cartridge 1 is inserted further (downward) from thestate in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a non-limiting example of the state of eachterminal when the cartridge 1 is inserted further (downward) from thestate in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a non-limiting example of the state of eachterminal when the cartridge 1 is inserted further (downward) from thestate in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a non-limiting example of the state of eachterminal when the cartridge 1 is inserted further (downward) from thestate in FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing non-limiting examples of conducting wiresformed on a substrate 12 of the cartridge 1;

FIG. 20 is an enlarged view of a non-limiting example of a part of thecartridge 1 when the substrate 12 is accommodated in a housing 11;

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing non-limiting examples of the shapes ofterminals according to another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing non-limiting examples of the shapes ofterminals according to another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing non-limiting examples of the shapes ofterminals according to another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing non-limiting examples of the shapes ofterminals according to another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing non-limiting examples of the shapes ofterminals according to another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing non-limiting examples of the shapes ofterminals according to another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing non-limiting examples of the shapes ofterminals according to another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing non-limiting examples of the shapes ofterminals according to another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing non-limiting examples of the shapes ofterminals according to another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing non-limiting examples of the shapes ofterminals according to another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing non-limiting examples of the shapes ofterminals according to another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing a non-limiting example of the configurationin which a non-volatile memory 13 is detachably connected to thecartridge 1; and

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a non-limiting example of the configurationin which the non-volatile memory 13 is detachably connected to thecartridge 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF NON-LIMITING EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the drawings, a cartridge (e.g., a memory card)according to an exemplary embodiment is described below. FIGS. 1A and 1Bare external perspective views of a cartridge 1 according to theexemplary embodiment. FIG. 1A is an external perspective view showingthe front surface of the cartridge 1. FIG. 1B is an external perspectiveview showing the back surface of the cartridge 1. FIG. 2 is an externalview of the back surface of the cartridge 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagramshowing the internal configuration of the cartridge 1.

As shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2, the cartridge 1 is configured byaccommodating a substrate 12 in a housing 11 formed of resin or thelike. The cartridge 1 is formed to be about 31.1 mm long, about 21.4 mmbroad, and about 3.4 mm thick, for example. It should be noted that thesize of the cartridge 1 is merely illustrative, and is not limited tothis. The cartridge 1 has a front end and a rear end, and in a region onthe front end side on the back surface of the cartridge 1, a part of thesubstrate 12 is exposed from the housing 11, and a plurality of externalconnection terminals T1 to T16 are provided in the exposed part. Thehousing 11 includes four separators 11 a, and a terminal placementregion where the plurality of external connection terminals T1 to T16are placed is divided into five regions by the separators 11 a. The fourseparators 11 a are formed as a part of the housing 11. Here, in thepresent specification, the front end of the cartridge 1 means the lowerend of the cartridge 1 in FIG. 2, and the front ends of the terminals T1to T16 mean end portions of the respective terminals closer to the frontend (the lower end in FIG. 2) of the cartridge 1.

As shown in FIG. 3, on the substrate 12, a non-volatile memory 13, whichstores data (e.g., a program, image data, sound data, and the like), amemory control section 14, and the external connection terminals T1 toT16 are implemented. The non-volatile memory 13 may be a read-onlymemory, or may be a readable and writable memory. For example, a flashmemory may be used as the non-volatile memory 13. The memory controlsection 14 controls the reading of data stored in the non-volatilememory 13 and the writing of data to the non-volatile memory 13. Forexample, based on a command from an information processing apparatus,the memory control section 14 reads data from the non-volatile memory 13and outputs the read data to the information processing apparatus.Further, in a case where the non-volatile memory 13 is a writablememory, the memory control section 14 performs control to write, to thenon-volatile memory 13, data output from an information processingapparatus. Further, the memory control section 14 may have the functionof encrypting and decrypting data. For example, when writing data to thenon-volatile memory 13, the memory control section 14 may encrypt dataand write the encrypted data to the non-volatile memory 13. Further,when reading data from the non-volatile memory 13, the memory controlsection 14 may acquire encrypted data from the non-volatile memory 13,decrypt the encrypted data, and output the decrypted data to aninformation processing apparatus.

The cartridge 1 is detachably connected to a predetermined informationprocessing apparatus. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the state where thecartridge 1 is attached to an information processing apparatus 50.

The information processing apparatus 50 is an apparatus capable ofexecuting various applications. For example, the information processingapparatus 50 may be a mobile game apparatus, or may be a stationary gameapparatus. It should be noted that the information processing apparatus50 is not limited to an apparatus for game use, and may be an apparatuscapable of executing any other application. The information processingapparatus 50 may be able to execute a game application and also able toexecute another application. Further, the information processingapparatus 50 may not execute a game application and may be an apparatuscapable of executing another application. For example, the informationprocessing apparatus 50 may be a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tabletterminal, or the like. For example, the information processing apparatus50 includes a CPU, a RAM, a storage device (e.g., a non-volatile memory,a magnetic disk, or the like), a display device, an input button, atouch panel, and a communication apparatus, which are not shown in thefigures.

As shown in FIG. 4, the information processing apparatus 50 includes acartridge accommodation portion 51, which accommodates the cartridge 1.For example, on the upper surface of the information processingapparatus 50, a cartridge insertion slot for inserting the cartridge 1is provided. The cartridge 1 is inserted through the cartridge insertionslot, thereby accommodating the cartridge 1 in the cartridgeaccommodation portion 51. The cartridge 1 is inserted into the cartridgeinsertion slot of the information processing apparatus 50 from the sideon which the terminals T1 to T16 are placed. That is, the cartridge 1 isinserted into a cartridge insertion slot from the front end of thecartridge 1. A user inserts the cartridge 1 into the cartridge insertionslot of the information processing apparatus 50 downward in FIG. 4 withthe side on which the terminals T1 to T16 are placed facing down.

The information processing apparatus 50 can read and execute apredetermined application program (e.g., a game program) stored in thenon-volatile memory 13 of the cartridge 1. For example, thepredetermined application program may be a program for executing a gameapplication, an application for displaying and photographing a movingimage and a still image, an application for creating and editing adocument, an application for viewing a web, an application for viewing,transmitting, and receiving email, or the like.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the cartridge accommodation portion 51 of theinformation processing apparatus 50 (hereinafter occasionally referredto as a “main body”), terminals P0 to P16 on the main body side that areelectrically connected to the external connection terminals T1 to T16 ofthe cartridge 1 are provided. Hereinafter, the external connectionterminals T1 to T16 on the cartridge 1 side are referred to as“terminals”, and the terminals P0 to P16 on the main body side arereferred to as “pins”.

Next, the details of the external connection terminals T1 to T16 of thecartridge 1 are described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the details ofthe terminals T1 to T16 provided in the cartridge 1. FIG. 6 is a diagramillustrating the use of the terminals of the cartridge 1.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a part of the substrate 12. FIG. 5 doesnot show the separators 11 a of the housing 11, conducting wires fromthe terminals T1 to T16, and the like. Here, it is assumed that thecartridge insertion slot of the information processing apparatus 50 ispresent below FIG. 5, and the user inserts the cartridge 1 into thecartridge insertion slot in a direction from top to bottom (an insertiondirection) in FIG. 5. That is, the lower end of the cartridge 1 in FIG.5 corresponds to the front end of the cartridge 1. Hereinafter, thepositional relationships between the external connection terminals(hereinafter referred to simply as “terminals”) placed on the substrate12 are described on the assumption that the direction in which thecartridge 1 is inserted into or removed from the cartridge insertionslot of the information processing apparatus 50 is an up-down direction.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the substrate 12, a terminal placement region A(a region surrounded by a dashed line) where the 16 terminals T1 to T16are placed is provided. The terminal placement region A is divided intoa lower region (also referred to as a “first region”) and an upperregion (also referred to as a “second region”), which is located abovethe lower region. The lower region is a region on the side that isinserted first into the cartridge insertion slot in a case where theterminal placement region A is divided into two regions in theinsertion/removal direction of the cartridge 1, and is a region on thefront end side of the cartridge 1 (e.g., in a case where the terminalplacement region A is divided by a dashed line passing through themiddle of a gap between two short terminals arranged one above the otherand shown in FIG. 5).

In the terminal placement region A, five terminal groups (also referredto as “dense terminal regions”) including a plurality of terminals areformed. Specifically, on the leftmost side of the terminal placementregion A, a terminal group B1 is provided. To the right side of theterminal group B1, a terminal group B2 is provided. To the right side ofthe terminal group B2, a terminal group B3 is provided. To the rightside of the terminal group B3, a terminal group B4 is provided. To theright side of the terminal group B4, a terminal group B5 is provided.The terminal group B1 is configured such that a single long terminal T1extending in the up-down direction and two short terminals (T2 and T3)arranged one above the other are arranged in the right direction.Further, the terminal group B2 is configured such that a single longterminal T4 extending in the up-down direction and two short terminals(T5 and T6) arranged one above the other are arranged in the rightdirection. Further, the terminal group B3 is configured such that asingle long terminal T7 extending in the up-down direction and two shortterminals (T8 and T9) arranged one above the other are arranged in theright direction. Further, the terminal group B4 is configured such thata single long terminal T10 extending in the up-down direction and twoshort terminals (T11 and T12) arranged one above the other are arrangedin the right direction. Further, the terminal group B5 is configuredsuch that two short terminals (T13 and T14) arranged one above theother, a single long terminal T15 extending in the up-down direction,and a single long terminal T16 extending in the up-down direction arearranged in the right direction. Each terminal is specifically describedbelow.

At the left end of the terminal placement region A, the terminal T1 isprovided. The terminal T1 is formed across the upper region and thelower region of the terminal placement region A and formed so as toextend in the up-down direction.

As shown in FIG. 6, the terminal T1 is a ground terminal. The terminalT1 is connected to a ground pin of the information processing apparatus50, thereby being grounded. Further, the terminal T1 also functions as adetection terminal with which the information processing apparatus 50detects the cartridge 1. It should be noted that the terminal T1, whichfunctions both as the ground terminal and the detection terminal, isreferred to as “GND/DET” in the figures. The terminal T1 is not aterminal through which a high-frequency signal flows as in a clockterminal, a strobe terminal, or data input/output terminals describedlater. That is, the terminal T1 is a terminal in which the frequency ofvoltage change is relatively low while the terminal is connected to theground pin of the information processing apparatus 50. For example, thevoltage of the terminal T1 may be almost constant (e.g., 0 V). It shouldbe noted that the voltage of the ground terminal T1 does not need to be0 V so long as the voltage has a relatively low value.

Near the right side of the terminal T1, the terminal T2 and the terminalT3 are provided. The terminal T2 is provided in the upper region, andthe terminal T3 is provided in the lower region. The terminal T2 and theterminal T3 are placed so as to be arranged one above the other, and thepositions in the horizontal direction of the terminal T2 and theterminal T3 coincide with each other. That is, the terminal T3 is placedon a straight line extending in the up-down direction from the positionof the terminal T2. If the terminal T2 is moved in the down direction tothe position of the terminal T3, at least parts of the moved terminal T2and the terminal T3 overlap each other.

As shown in FIG. 6, the terminal T2 is a terminal (a strobe terminal)for outputting a strobe signal. The terminal T3 is a terminal (a clockterminal) for inputting a clock signal. In the figures, the strobeterminal is referred to as “DQS”, and the clock terminal is referred toas “CLK”. In a case where the cartridge 1 is normally connected to theinformation processing apparatus 50 (in a case where the terminals ofthe cartridge 1 are electrically connected to the pins on the main bodyside), a clock signal from the information processing apparatus 50 isinput to the clock terminal T3. Further, in a case where the cartridge 1is normally connected to the information processing apparatus 50, astrobe signal is output from the strobe terminal T2 to the informationprocessing apparatus 50.

A clock signal is a signal used by the main body to receive data fromthe cartridge 1 via a data input/output terminal, or by the main body totransmit data to the cartridge 1 via the data input/output terminal. Theclock signal is a signal that periodically changes between ahigh-voltage state and a low-voltage state, and is a high-frequencysignal. Based on the state of the voltage of the data input/outputterminal at the time when this clock signal is switched (in other words,the time when a low voltage and a high voltage are switched), it isdetermined what data (“0” or “1”) is flowing through the datainput/output terminal. That is, the clock terminal T3 is a terminalthrough which a high-frequency signal flows, and is a terminal of whichthe voltage frequently changes.

A strobe signal is a signal for assisting a clock signal. The strobesignal is a signal output from the cartridge 1, is a signal having awaveform similar to that of a clock signal, and is a signal delayed ascompared to a clock signal. A time lag occurs between a clock signaloutput from the main body and a signal output from the non-volatilememory 13 of the cartridge 1 and input to the main body via a circuit inthe cartridge 1. On the main body side, the strobe signal is used todetermine the degree of this lag. Similarly to the clock terminal T3,the strobe terminal T2 is also a terminal through which a high-frequencysignal flows, and is a terminal of which the voltage frequently changes.

To the right side of the terminal T2 and the terminal T3, the terminalT4 is provided. The terminal T4 is formed across the upper region andthe lower region in the terminal placement region A and formed so as toextend in the up-down direction.

As shown in FIG. 6, the terminal T4 is a chip-enable terminal. In thefigures, the chip-enable terminal is referred to as “CEB”. Thechip-enable terminal is a terminal for inputting a chip-enable signalfor selecting whether or not to input and output data. While datacommunication (e.g., the input and output of image data, sound data, orthe like, or the input and output of a command) is not performed betweenthe cartridge 1 and the information processing apparatus 50, thechip-enable terminal T4 is maintained in a high-voltage state. On theother hand, while data communication is performed between the cartridge1 and the information processing apparatus 50, the chip-enable terminalT4 is maintained in a low-voltage state. That is, the chip-enableterminal T4 is not a terminal through which a high-frequency signalflows as in the clock terminal T3, the strobe terminal T2, or the datainput/output terminals described later. The chip-enable terminal T4 canbe said to be a terminal of which the voltage infrequently changes. Itshould be noted that contrary to the above, while data communication isnot performed between the cartridge 1 and the information processingapparatus 50, the chip-enable terminal T4 may be maintained in alow-voltage state, and while data communication is performed between thecartridge 1 and the information processing apparatus 50, the chip-enableterminal T4 may be maintained in a high-voltage state.

Near the right side of the terminal T4, the terminal T5 and the terminalT6 are provided. The terminal T5 is provided in the upper region, andthe terminal T6 is provided in the lower region. The terminal T5 and theterminal T6 are placed so as to be arranged one above the other, and thepositions in the horizontal direction of the terminal T5 and theterminal T6 coincide with each other. That is, the terminal T6 is placedon a straight line extending in the up-down direction from the positionof the terminal T5. If the terminal T5 is moved in the down direction tothe position of the terminal T6, at least parts of the moved terminal T5and the terminal T6 overlap each other.

As shown in FIG. 6, the terminal T5 and the terminal T6 are datainput/output terminals. In the figures, each data input/output terminalis referred to as “IO”. At a certain time, the data input/outputterminal functions as a data input terminal for inputting data to thecartridge 1. At another time, the data input/output terminal functionsas a data output terminal for outputting data from the cartridge 1.

Specifically, before data communication is started, the datainput/output terminal is in an input state. For example, in a case wherethe main body reads data stored in the non-volatile memory 13 of thecartridge 1, a command for reading data from the main body is input fromthe data input/output terminal. At this time, the data input/outputterminal is in an input state, and therefore, the command is input. Ifthis command is input, the memory control section 14 switches the datainput/output terminal to an output state. Then, the memory controlsection 14 reads data stored in the non-volatile memory 13 and outputsthe read data from the data input/output terminal. If the reading of thedata is finished, the memory control section 14 changes back the datainput/output terminal to the input state.

Data communication via the data input/output terminal is performed at arelatively high speed. When data or a command is input and output, ahigh-frequency signal flows through the data input/output terminal. Thatis, the data input/output terminal can be said to be a terminal of whichthe voltage frequently changes.

To the right side of the terminal T5 and the terminal T6, the terminalT7 is provided. The terminal T7 is formed across the upper region andthe lower region in the terminal placement region A and formed so as toextend in the up-down direction.

The terminal T7 is a power supply terminal for a memory control section(referred to as “Vcc” in the figures). In a case where the cartridge 1is electrically connected to the main body, the main body supplies powerto the terminal T7, and the memory control section 14 of the cartridge 1operates by the supplied power. The voltage of power supplied from themain body to the terminal T7 is about 3.1 V. The voltage of powersupplied from the main body to the terminal T7 is almost constant. Thatis, the power supply terminal T7 is not a terminal through which ahigh-frequency signal flows as in the clock terminal, the strobeterminal, or the data input/output terminals. The power supply terminalT7 can be said to be a terminal of which the voltage infrequentlychanges.

Near the right side of the terminal T7, the terminal T8 and the terminalT9 as data input/output terminals are provided. The terminal T8 isprovided in the upper region, and the terminal T9 is provided in thelower region. The terminal T8 and the terminal T9 are placed so as to bearranged one above the other. Specifically, the positions in thehorizontal direction of the terminal T8 and the terminal T9 coincidewith each other. That is, the terminal T9 is placed on a straight lineextending in the up-down direction from the position of the terminal T8.If the terminal T8 is moved in the down direction to the position of theterminal T9, at least parts of the moved terminal T8 and the terminal T9overlap each other.

To the right side of the terminal T8 and the terminal T9, the terminalT10 is provided. The terminal T10 is formed across the upper region andthe lower region in the terminal placement region A and formed so as toextend in the up-down direction.

The terminal T10 is a power supply terminal for data input and output(referred to as “Vccio” in the figures). In a case where the cartridge 1is electrically connected to the main body, the main body supplies powerfor data input and output to the terminal T10. This power supply fordata input and output supplies power to a data input/output terminal,and data communication is performed between the main body and thecartridge 1 via the data input/output terminal. The voltage of powersupplied from the main body to the terminal T10 is about 1.8 V. Thevoltage of power supplied from the main body to the terminal T10 isalmost constant. That is, the power supply terminal T10 is not aterminal through which a high-frequency signal flows as in the clockterminal, the strobe terminal, or the data input/output terminals. Thepower supply terminal T10 can be said to be a terminal of which thevoltage infrequently changes.

Near the right side of the terminal T10, the terminal T11 and theterminal T12 as data input/output terminals are provided. The terminalT11 is provided in the upper region, and the terminal T12 is provided inthe lower region. The terminal T11 and the terminal T12 are placed so asto be arranged one above the other. Specifically, the positions in thehorizontal direction of the terminal T11 and the terminal T12 coincidewith each other. That is, the terminal T12 is placed on a straight lineextending in the up-down direction from the position of the terminalT11. If the terminal T11 is moved in the down direction to the positionof the terminal T12, at least parts of the moved terminal T11 and theterminal T12 overlap each other.

To the right side of the terminal T11 and the terminal T12, the terminalT13 and the terminal T14 as data input/output terminals are provided.The terminal T13 is provided in the upper region, and the terminal T14is provided in the lower region. The terminal T13 and the terminal T14are placed so as to be arranged one above the other. Specifically, thepositions in the horizontal direction of the terminal T13 and theterminal T14 coincide with each other. That is, the terminal T14 isplaced on a straight line extending in the up-down direction from theposition of the terminal T13. If the terminal T13 is moved in the downdirection to the position of the terminal T14, at least parts of themoved terminal T13 and the terminal T14 overlap each other.

Here, substantially, the eight data input/output terminals (theterminals T5, T6, T8, T9, and T11 to T14) are all in input states at acertain time and are all in output states at another time. That is,there is no case where at a certain time, some of the eight datainput/output terminals are in input states and input data, while therest of the eight data input/output terminals are in output states andoutput data. It should be noted that “are all in input states at acertain time and are all in output states at another time” does not meanthat the times of switching between the input states and the outputstates of the eight data input/output terminals completely coincide witheach other. The times of switching of the data input/output terminalsmay not need to completely coincide with each other so long as the eightdata input/output terminals switch substantially at the same time.

Near the right side of the terminal T13 and the terminal T14, theterminal T15 is provided. The terminal T15 is provided across the upperregion and the lower region in the terminal placement region A andformed so as to extend in the up-down direction.

The terminal T15 is a ground terminal (referred to as “GND” in thefigures). The terminal T15 is connected to a ground pin of the mainbody, thereby grounding the cartridge 1. Since the terminal T15 is aground terminal, the voltage of the terminal T15 is almost constant(e.g., 0 V). That is, the terminal T15 is not a terminal through which ahigh-frequency signal flows as in the clock terminal, the strobeterminal, or the data input/output terminals. The terminal T15 can besaid to be a terminal of which the voltage infrequently changes.

Near the right side of the terminal T15, the terminal T16 is provided.The terminal T16 is provided across the upper region and the lowerregion in the terminal placement region A and formed so as to extend inthe up-down direction.

The terminal T16 is a reset terminal for inputting a reset signal(referred to as “RES” in the figures). If a reset signal is input to thecartridge 1, each device (the memory control section 14 or the like) ofthe cartridge 1 is changed back to the initial state. Specifically, whenthe terminal T16 is at a low voltage, the device is reset. Then, if apredetermined time elapses since the cartridge 1 has been sensed on themain body side, the main body changes the terminal T16 to a high-voltagestate, and the reset is canceled. In this state, data communication canbe performed between the main body and the cartridge 1. Basically, afterthe main body and the cartridge 1 are electrically connected together,the terminal T16 is maintained in a high-voltage state (the state wherea reset is canceled). Thus, the reset terminal T16 is not a terminalthrough which a high-frequency signal flows as in the clock terminal,the strobe terminal, or the data input/output terminals. The resetterminal T16 can be said to be a terminal of which the voltageinfrequently changes.

(Description of Feature of Placement of Terminals)

Next, the feature of the placement of the terminals is described. Asshown in FIG. 5, two terminals are placed so as to be arranged one abovethe other, and the two terminals arranged one above the other are notshifted in the left-right direction. Thus, it is possible to make thewidth of the cartridge 1 small, while increasing the number of datainput/output terminals. Thus, it is possible to perform high-speed datacommunication between the cartridge 1 and the information processingapparatus 50. It should be noted that the positions in the left-rightdirection of the two terminals arranged one above the other may not needto completely coincide with each other. For example, as in the terminalsT2 and T3 in FIG. 31 described later, the two terminals arranged oneabove the other may be slightly shifted in the left-right direction.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, near the terminals of which thevoltages frequently change, such as the clock terminal, the strobeterminal, and the data input/output terminals, the terminals of whichthe voltages infrequently change, such as the ground terminals, thechip-enable terminal, and the power supply terminals, are placed.Specifically, near the left side of the strobe terminal T2 and the clockterminal T3, the ground-and-detection terminal T1 is provided. Theterminal T1 is formed across the upper region and the lower region andformed with such a length as to be across the entirety of the terminalT2 and a part of the terminal T3.

FIG. 7 is a diagram in which the terminals T1, T2, and T3 are extracted,and is a diagram illustrating the placement of the terminals. An axisparallel with the up-down direction of the cartridge 1 (the direction inwhich the cartridge 1 is inserted into or removed from the cartridgeinsertion slot on the main body side) is defined as a y-axis, and anaxis parallel with the left-right direction of the cartridge 1 isdefined as an x-axis.

As shown in FIG. 7, the y-axis coordinate value of the upper end of theterminal T1 is “y1”, and the y-axis coordinate value of the lower end ofthe terminal T1 is “y4”. Further, the y-axis coordinate value of theupper end of the terminal T2 is “y1”, and the y-axis coordinate value ofthe lower end of the terminal T2 is “y2”. Further, the y-axis coordinatevalue of the upper end of the terminal T3 is “y3”, and the y-axiscoordinate value of the lower end of the terminal T3 is “y5”.

The range of the terminal T1 in the y-axis direction is “y1” to “y4”.The range of the terminal T2 in the y-axis direction is “y1” to “y2”.The range of the entirety of the terminal T2 in the y-axis direction isincluded in the range of the terminal T1 in the y-axis direction.Further, the range of the terminal T3 in the y-axis direction is “y3” to“y5”. A part of the terminal T3 (a portion from y3 to y4) is included inthe range of the terminal T1 in the y-axis direction, but another partof the terminal T3 (a portion from y4 to y5) is not included in therange of the terminal T1 in the y-axis direction.

That is, the terminal T1 is present adjacent to the terminal T2 in thehorizontal direction of the terminal T2 over the entirety of theterminal T2 in the up-down direction and is present adjacent to theterminal T3 in the horizontal direction of the terminal T3 in a part ofthe terminal T3 in the up-down direction. For example, if the terminalT2 and the terminal T3 are moved in the left direction to the positionof the terminal T1, the entirety of the moved terminal T2 overlaps theterminal T1, and a part of the moved terminal T3 overlaps the terminalT1. It should be noted that if the terminal T2 and the terminal T3 aremoved in the left direction to the position of the terminal T1, at leasta part of the moved terminal T2 may overlap the terminal T1, and atleast a part of the moved terminal T3 may overlap the terminal T1. Forexample, if the widths in the horizontal direction of the terminal T2and the terminal T3 are smaller (or greater) than the width in thehorizontal direction of the terminal T1, and if the terminal T2 and theterminal T3 are moved to the position of the terminal T1, parts of themoved terminal T2 and the terminal T1 overlap each other, and parts ofthe moved terminal T3 and the terminal T1 overlap each other. Also insuch a case, “the terminal T1 is present adjacent to the terminal T2 inthe horizontal direction of the terminal T2 and is present adjacent tothe terminal T3 in the horizontal direction of the terminal T3”. Thatis, “the terminal T1 is present adjacent to the terminal T2 in thehorizontal direction of the terminal T2” means that if a straight lineextends in the horizontal direction (specifically, in the leftdirection) from at least a part of the terminal T2 in the up-downdirection of the terminal T2, the straight line comes into contact withthe terminal T1. Similarly, “the terminal T1 is present adjacent to theterminal T3 in the horizontal direction of the terminal T3” means thatif a straight line extends in the left direction from at least a part ofthe terminal T3 (the range from y3 to y4 in the example shown in FIG. 7)in the up-down direction of the terminal T3, the straight line comesinto contact with the terminal T1.

As described above, near the strobe terminal T2 and the clock terminalT3, the ground terminal T1 is provided. Thus, the strobe terminal T2 andthe clock terminal T3 are less likely to be influenced by noise. Thatis, the voltage of the terminal T1 is almost constant (e.g., 0 V), andtherefore, electromagnetic noise is less likely to be generated fromthis terminal. Thus, the terminal T2 and the terminal T3, which arelocated near the terminal T1, are less likely to be influenced by noise.

For example, in a case where near the strobe terminal T2 and the clockterminal T3, a data input/output terminal of which the voltagefrequently changes is provided, a high-frequency signal may flow throughthe data input/output terminal, thereby generating an electromagneticfield and influencing the strobe terminal T2 and the clock terminal T3.The opposite is also true. In a case where near the strobe terminal T2and the clock terminal T3, a data input/output terminal is provided, ahigh-frequency signal may flow through the strobe terminal T2 and theclock terminal T3, thereby influencing the data input/output terminal.That is, if a high-frequency signal flows through a certain terminal,the certain terminal may cause the generation of noise, and the waveformof a signal flowing through a terminal present around the certainterminal may be disturbed. If the waveform of a high-frequency signalflowing through the clock terminal T3, the strobe terminal T2, or eachdata input/output terminal is disturbed, erroneous data may betransmitted and received. In the exemplary embodiment, near the strobeterminal T2 and the clock terminal T3, the terminal of which the voltagefrequently changes and which causes the generation of noise is notprovided, but the terminal T1 of which the voltage infrequently changesis provided. This can make the terminals less likely to be influenced bynoise, and can prevent the transmission and reception of erroneous data.Further, a high-frequency signal flows through the strobe terminal T2and the clock terminal T3, and therefore may influence another terminalaround the strobe terminal T2 and the clock terminal T3. Near the strobeterminal T2 and the clock terminal T3, however, the terminal T1 isprovided. This can reduce the influence on another terminal other thanthe terminals T2 and T3. That is, the influence of an electromagneticfield from the strobe terminal T2 and the clock terminal T3 is likely tobe absorbed by the terminal T1 present closest to the strobe terminal T2and the clock terminal T3. This can make the influence on anotherterminal smaller than the case where the terminal T1 is not providednear the strobe terminal T2 and the clock terminal T3.

FIGS. 8A to 8D are diagrams showing examples of cases where the lengthsand the positions of the terminals are changed. FIG. 8A is a diagramshowing an example of a case where the terminal T1 is present adjacentto the terminal T2 in the horizontal direction of the terminal T2 in apart of the terminal T2 in the up-down direction and is present adjacentto the terminal T3 in the horizontal direction the terminal T3 in a partof the terminal T3 in the up-down direction. FIG. 8B is a diagramshowing an example of a case where the terminal T1 is present adjacentto the terminal T2 in the horizontal direction of the terminal T2 overthe entirety of the terminal T2 in the up-down direction and is presentadjacent to the terminal T3 in the horizontal direction of the terminalT3 over the entirety of the terminal T3 in the up-down direction. FIG.8C is a diagram showing an example of a case where the terminal T1 ispresent adjacent to the terminal T2 in the horizontal direction of theterminal T2 over the entirety of the terminal T2 in the up-downdirection and is not present adjacent to the terminal T3 in thehorizontal direction of the terminal T3 over the entirety of theterminal T3 in the up-down direction. FIG. 8D is a diagram showing anexample of a case where the terminal T1 is not present adjacent to theterminal T2 in the horizontal direction of the terminal T2 over theentirety of the terminal T2 in the up-down direction and is not presentadjacent to the terminal T3 in the horizontal direction of the terminalT3 over the entirety of the terminal T3 in the up-down direction. InFIGS. 8A to 8D, the up-down direction corresponds to the y-axisdirection in FIG. 7, and the left-right direction corresponds to thex-axis direction in FIG. 7.

In FIG. 8A, the upper end of the terminal T2 is not included in therange of the terminal T1 in the up-down direction, and the lower end ofthe terminal T2 is included in the range of the terminal T1 in theup-down direction. Further, the upper end of the terminal T3 is includedin the range of the terminal T1 in the up-down direction, and the lowerend of the terminal T3 is not included in the range of the terminal T1in the up-down direction. That is, the terminal T1 is present adjacentto the terminal T2 in the horizontal direction of the terminal T2 in apart of the terminal T2 in the up-down direction, and the terminal T1 ispresent adjacent to the terminal T3 in the horizontal direction of theterminal T3 in a part of the terminal T3 in the up-down direction. Inother words, if the terminal T2 and the terminal T3 are moved in theleft direction to the position of the terminal T1, a part of the movedterminal T2 overlaps the terminal T1, and a part of the moved terminalT3 overlaps the terminal T1.

In addition, in FIG. 8B, the upper end of the terminal T2 coincides withthe upper end of the terminal T1, and the lower end of the terminal T2is included in the range of the terminal T1 in the up-down direction.Further, the upper end of the terminal T3 is included in the range ofthe terminal T1 in the up-down direction, and the lower end of theterminal T3 coincides with the lower end of the terminal T1. That is,the terminal T1 is present adjacent to the terminal T2 in the horizontaldirection of the terminal T2 over the entirety of the terminal T2 in theup-down direction, and the terminal T1 is present adjacent to theterminal T3 in the horizontal direction of the terminal T3 over theentirety of the terminal T3 in the up-down direction. In other words, ifthe terminal T2 and the terminal T3 are moved in the left direction tothe position of the terminal T1, the entirety of the moved terminal T2overlaps the terminal T1, and the entirety of the moved terminal T3overlaps the terminal T1.

Also with the placement of the terminals as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, itis possible to produce the effects as described above. That is, in FIGS.7, 8A, and 8B, the terminal T1 of which the voltage infrequently changesis present near at least a part of the terminal T2 in the horizontaldirection of the terminal T2 and is present near at least a part of theterminal T3 in the horizontal direction of the terminal T3. Thus, it ispossible to make both the terminal T2 and the terminal T3 less likely tobe influenced by noise, and possible to improve the qualities of thewaveforms of both the terminal T2 and the terminal T3.

On the other hand, in FIG. 8C, the upper end of the terminal T2coincides with the upper end of the terminal T1, and the lower end ofthe terminal T2 is included in the range of the terminal T1 in theup-down direction. However, the upper end of the terminal T3 is notincluded in the range of the terminal T1 in the up-down direction. Thatis, the terminal T1 is present adjacent to the terminal T2 in thehorizontal direction of the terminal T2 over the entirety of theterminal T2 in the up-down direction, but is not present adjacent to theterminal in the horizontal direction of the T3 the terminal T3 over theentirety of the terminal T3 in the up-down direction. In other words, ifthe terminal T2 and the terminal T3 are moved in the left direction tothe position of the terminal T1, the entirety of the moved terminal T2overlaps the terminal T1, but the entirety of the moved terminal T3 doesnot overlap the terminal T1.

Thus, in the placement of the terminals as shown in FIG. 8C, theterminal T1 is present near the terminal T2 in the horizontal directionof the terminal T2. Thus, it is possible to reduce the influence onanother terminal as described above. On the other hand, the terminal T1is not present near the terminal T3 in the horizontal direction of theterminal T3.

In addition, in FIG. 8D, the terminal T2 and the terminal T3 are notincluded in the range of the terminal T1 in the up-down direction. Thatis, the terminal T1 is not present adjacent to the terminal T2 in thehorizontal direction of the terminal T2 over the entirety of theterminal T2 in the up-down direction, and is not present adjacent to theterminal T3 in the horizontal direction of the terminal T3 over theentirety of the terminal T3 in the up-down direction. In other words, ifthe terminal T2 and the terminal T3 are moved in the left direction tothe position of the terminal T1, the entirety of the moved terminal T2does not overlap the terminal T1, and the entirety of the moved terminalT3 does not overlap the terminal T1.

Referring back to FIG. 5, the same applies to the data input/outputterminals. That is, the data input/output terminals are also terminalsof which the voltages frequently change, similarly to the strobeterminal T2 and the clock terminal T3. Near the left side of the datainput/output terminals T5 and T6, the chip-enable terminal T4 of whichthe voltage infrequently changes is provided. Further, near the leftside of the data input/output terminals T8 and T9, the power supplyterminal T7 of which the voltage infrequently changes is provided.Further, near the left side of the data input/output terminals T11 andT12, the power supply terminal T10 of which the voltage infrequentlychanges is provided. Further, near the right side of the datainput/output terminals T13 and T14, the ground terminal T15 of which thevoltage infrequently changes is provided.

As described above, in the exemplary embodiment, in the horizontaldirection, near two short terminals (T2 and T3, T5 and T6, T8 and T9,T11 and T12, or T13 and T14) which are arranged in the up-down directionand of which the voltages frequently change, a long terminal (T1, T4,T7, T10, or T15) of which the voltage infrequently changes is placed.The long terminal is formed across the upper region and the lower regionand located near at least parts of both the two short terminals. Thelong terminal is provided near the two short terminals, whereby it ispossible to make the two short terminals less likely to be influenced bynoise from the long terminal near the two short terminals, and possibleto reduce the influence of the two short terminals on another terminal.

It should be noted that a long terminal and two short terminals near thelong terminal may be placed as shown in FIGS. 7, 8A, 8B, and 8C.

In addition, to the right side of the reset terminal T16, anotherterminal is not provided. Thus, the reset terminal T16 is less likely tobe influenced by noise. Further, near the left side of the resetterminal T16, the terminal T15 (the ground terminal) of which thevoltage infrequently changes is provided. For example, if the terminalT13 and the terminal T14 of which the voltages frequently change areprovided near the reset terminal T16, noise may enter the terminal T16,and each device in the cartridge 1 may be reset. In the exemplaryembodiment, to minimize noise entering the reset terminal T16, theground terminal T15 is provided between the reset terminal T16 and thedata input/output terminals T13 and T14.

As described above, in the exemplary embodiment, near a terminal (thestrobe terminal T2, the clock terminal T3, or the data input/outputterminal T5, T6, T8, T9, or T11 to T14) of which the voltage frequentlychanges, a terminal (the ground terminal T1 or T15, the chip-enableterminal T4, or the power supply terminal T7 or T10) of which thevoltage infrequently changes is provided. This can make the terminalsless likely to be influenced by noise. Further, it is possible to reducethe influence of the terminal (T2, T3, T5, T6, T8, T9, or T11 to T14) ofwhich the voltage frequently changes, on the surroundings of theterminal.

Here, a description is given of the state of the voltage of eachterminal when the cartridge 1 is inserted into the cartridge insertionslot of the information processing apparatus 50, and data communicationis performed. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the state of thevoltage of each terminal from when the cartridge 1 is connected to theinformation processing apparatus 50 to when data communication isperformed.

As shown in FIG. 9, if the cartridge 1 (a card) is inserted into thecartridge insertion slot of the information processing apparatus 50,then first, the voltage levels of the power supply terminal T7 (Vcc) andthe power supply terminal T10 (Vccio) change to “high voltage”. Next,the voltage level of the reset terminal T16 (RES) changes to “highvoltage”. While the cartridge 1 is connected to the informationprocessing apparatus 50, the voltage levels of the power supply terminalT7 (Vcc), the power supply terminal T10 (Vccio), and the reset terminalT16 (RES) are maintained at “high voltage”. If the voltage level of thereset terminal T16 (RES) changes to “high voltage”, the preparation onthe cartridge 1 side is completed, and the voltage level of thechip-enable terminal T4 (CEB) changes to “high voltage”.

In a case where the information processing apparatus 50 reads data fromthe cartridge 1 (or writes data to the cartridge 1), the voltage levelof the chip-enable terminal T4 (CEB) changes to “low voltage”, and thevoltage level of the clock terminal T3 (CLK) changes between “highvoltage” and “low voltage” in a constant cycle. It should be noted thatalthough not shown in the figures, also the strobe terminal T2 has awaveform similar to that of the clock terminal T3, except that thewaveform of the strobe terminal T2 is slightly delayed. Further, inaccordance with input or output data, the eight data input/outputterminals (IO) change to “high voltage” and “low voltage”. Specifically,a command is transmitted from the information processing apparatus 50 tothe cartridge 1 using the eight data input/output terminals (IO), andthen, after a predetermined waiting time (BUSY), actual data (e.g.,image data, sound data, or the like stored in the cartridge 1) istransmitted from the cartridge 1 to the information processing apparatus50.

As shown in FIG. 9, while data communication is performed between theinformation processing apparatus 50 and the cartridge 1, the chip-enableterminal T4 (CEB) is maintained at “low voltage”. On the other hand,while the data communication is performed, the clock terminal T3 (andalso the strobe terminal T2) and the eight data input/output terminalsrepeat “high voltage” and “low voltage”.

As described above, while the information processing apparatus 50 andthe cartridge 1 are connected together, the voltage levels of the powersupply terminal T7, the power supply terminal T10, and the resetterminal T16 are maintained at “high voltage”. Further, while theinformation processing apparatus 50 and the cartridge 1 are connectedtogether, the chip-enable terminal T4 changes between “high voltage” and“low voltage”, but the voltage of the chip-enable terminal T4infrequently changes. That is, at the time when the data communicationis started, the chip-enable terminal T4 changes from “high voltage” to“low voltage”, but is maintained at “low voltage” during the datacommunication. In contrast, during the data communication (while thechip-enable terminal T4 is maintained at “low voltage”), the clockterminal T3, the strobe terminal T2, and the eight data input/outputterminals change between “high voltage” and “low voltage”, and thevoltages of the clock terminal T3, the strobe terminal T2, and the eightdata input/output terminals frequently change.

In the present specification, a terminal of which the voltage levelchanges between “high voltage” and “low voltage” while datacommunication is performed is referred to as a “terminal of which thevoltage frequently changes”. Specifically, the “terminal of which thevoltage frequently changes” means the clock terminal T3, the strobeterminal T2, and the eight data input/output terminals (T5, T6, T8, T9,T11, T12, T13, and T14). On the other hand, a terminal of which thevoltage level is relatively stable (e.g., a terminal of which thevoltage is almost constant) while data communication is performed isreferred to as a “terminal of which the voltage infrequently changes”.Specifically, the “terminal of which the voltage infrequently changes”means the ground-and-detection terminal T1, the chip-enable terminal T4,the power supply terminals T7 and T10, the ground terminal T15, and thereset terminal T16.

Next, a description is given of the spaces between the terminals and thepositions of the lower ends of the terminals. FIG. 10 is a diagramillustrating the spaces between the terminals and the positions of thelower ends of the terminals.

As shown in FIG. 10, the distance in the horizontal direction betweenthe terminal T2 and the terminal T1 is about 0.2 mm, for example, andthe distance in the horizontal direction between the terminal T3 and theterminal T1 is about 0.2 mm, for example. Similarly, the distance in thehorizontal direction between the terminal T5 and the terminal T4, whichare included in the terminal group B2, is also about 0.2 mm, and thedistance in the horizontal direction between the terminal T6 and theterminal T4, which are included in the terminal group B2, is also about0.2 mm. The same applies to the other terminal groups. That is, in allthe terminal groups, the distance in the horizontal direction betweentwo terminals included in the same terminal group is about 0.2 mm.

In addition, the distance in the horizontal direction between theterminal group B1 and the terminal group B2 is about 1.0 mm. The sameapplies to the other terminal groups. A certain terminal group is about1.0 mm away from a terminal group adjacent to the certain terminalgroup. That is, the distance between a certain terminal group and aterminal group adjacent to the certain terminal group is longer than thedistance in the horizontal direction between terminals included in eachterminal group.

In the exemplary embodiment, “near” typically means the distance in thehorizontal direction (about 0.2 mm) between two terminals included inthe same terminal group. It should be noted that the range of “near” isnot limited to about 0.2 mm Specifically, the range of “near” may be arange of which the upper limit is the distance between the pin P0 andthe pin P2 (e.g., about 1.2 mm) in FIG. 11 (described later).

In addition, the positions in the up-down direction of the six longterminals (T1, T4, T7, T10, T15, and T16) and the upper ends of the fiveterminals (T2, T5, T8, T11, and T13) present in the upper regioncoincide with each other. Further, the positions in the up-downdirection of the upper ends of the five terminals (T3, T6, T9, T12, andT14) present in the lower region coincide with each other. Further, inthe exemplary embodiment, all the widths of the terminals T1 to T16 arethe same and are about 1 mm, for example.

All the lengths in the up-down direction of the five short terminals(T2, T5, T8, T11, and T13) present in the upper region and the fiveshort terminals (T3, T6, T9, T12, and T14) present in the lower regionare the same and are about 4.5 mm, for example. On the other hand, thepositions in the up-down direction of the lower ends of the six longterminals and the positions in the up-down direction of the lower endsof the five terminals in the lower region are different from each otheras shown in FIG. 10.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the terminal T15 is the longest inthe up-down direction, and the lower end of the terminal T15 is locatedat the lowest position. For example, the length in the up-down directionof the terminal T15 is about 11.3 mm. Further, the terminal T7 and theterminal T10 are the second longest after the terminal T15, and thelengths in the up-down direction of the terminal T7 and the terminal T10are the same. For example, the lengths in the up-down direction of theterminal T7 and the terminal T10 are about 10.9 mm. Thus, the lower endsof the terminal T7 and the terminal T10 are located, for example, about0.4 mm above the lower end of the terminal T15.

In addition, the lengths in the up-down direction of the terminal T4 andthe terminal T16 are the same. For example, the lengths in the up-downdirection of the terminal T4 and the terminal T16 are about 10.5 mm.

In addition, the lower ends of the terminals T3, T4, T6, T9, T12, T14,and T16 are aligned. That is, the positions in the up-down direction ofthe lower ends of the terminals T3, T4, T6, T9, T12, T14, and T16coincide with each other. The lower ends of the terminals T3, T4, T6,T9, T12, T14, and T16 are located, for example, about 0.8 mm above thelower end of the terminal T15.

In addition, among the plurality of long terminals, the terminal T1extends downward at the shortest distance. The length in the up-downdirection of the terminal T1 is about 10.1 mm, for example.Specifically, the lower end of the terminal T1 is located, for example,about 0.4 mm above the lower end of the terminal T3 (also T4, T6, T9,T12, T14, and T16).

As described above, the front end of the ground terminal T15 (i.e., thelower end of the terminal T15 in FIG. 5) is located closest to the frontend of the cartridge 1. Further, among the terminals T1, T3, T4, T6, T7,T9, T10, T12, T14, T15, and T16 (i.e., the terminals other than theterminals provided in the upper region), the front end of theground-and-detection terminal T1 (see FIG. 5) is located furthest awayfrom the front end of the cartridge 1. Further, the front ends of thepower supply terminals T7 and T11 are located closer to the front end ofthe cartridge 1 than the front end of the clock terminal T3 is (and alsothe front ends of the chip-enable terminal T4 and the data input/outputterminals T6, T9, T12, and T14 are). It should be noted that the size ofeach terminal shown in FIG. 10 is merely illustrative, and the lengthand the width of each terminal may be changed.

(Placement of Pins on Main Body Side)

Next, the placement of the pins on the main body side is described. FIG.11 is a diagram showing the placement of the pins on the informationprocessing apparatus 50 (main body) side. In FIG. 11, the cartridgeinsertion slot is located on the upper side, and the up-down directionin FIG. 11 is the insertion/removal direction of the cartridge 1. Asshown in FIG. 11, in the cartridge accommodation portion 51 of the mainbody, the 17 pins P0 to P16 are placed. The pins P0, P2, P4, P5, P7, P8,P10, P11, P13, P15, and P16 are located in a region on the upper side inthe cartridge accommodation portion 51. The pins P0, P2, P4, P5, P7, P8,P10, P11, P13, P15, and P16 are placed so as to be arranged in thehorizontal direction. That is, the positions in the up-down direction ofthe 11 pins P0, P2, P4, P5, P7, P8, P10, P11, P13, P15, and P16 coincidewith each other. Further, the pins P1, P3, P6, P9, P12, and P14 arelocated on the lower side in the cartridge accommodation portion 51 andplaced so as to be arranged in the horizontal direction. That is, thepositions in the up-down direction of the six pins P1, P3, P6, P9, P12,and P14 coincide with each other.

In addition, the positions in the horizontal direction of two pinsarranged in the up-down direction coincide with each other. That is, thepositions in the horizontal direction of the pin P0 and the pin P1coincide with each other. The positions in the horizontal direction ofthe pin P2 and the pin P3 coincide with each other. The positions in thehorizontal direction of the pin P5 and the pin P6 coincide with eachother. Further, the positions in the horizontal direction of the pin P8and the pin P9 coincide with each other. The positions in the horizontaldirection of the pin P11 and the pin P12 coincide with each other. Thepositions in the horizontal direction of the pin P13 and the pin P14coincide with each other.

The pins P0 to P16 are placed so that when the cartridge 1 isaccommodated in the cartridge accommodation portion 51, the pins P0 toP16 are located at almost the centers in the horizontal direction of theterminals T1 to T16. For example, the space between the pin P0 and thepin P2 is about 1.2 mm, which is obtained by adding the widths of theterminals T1 and T2 (1.0 mm×½×2=1.0 mm) to the distance between theterminal T1 and the terminal T2 (about 0.2 mm). Similarly, the spacebetween the pin P4 and the pin P5, the space between the pin P7 and thepin P8, the space between the pin P10 and the pin P11, the space betweenthe pin P13 and the pin P15, the space between the pin P15 and the pinP16, and the space between the pin P1 and the pin P3 are also about 1.2mm, for example. Further, the space between the pin P2 and the pin P4 isabout 2.0 mm, which is obtained by adding the width of the terminals T2and T4 (about 1.0 mm) to the distance between the terminal group B1 andthe terminal group B2 (about 1.0 mm). Similarly, the space between thepin P5 and the pin P7, the space between the pin P8 and the pin P10, andthe space between the pin P11 and the pin P13 are also about 2.0 mm.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the connection state between the pins onthe main body side and the terminals on the cartridge 1 side when thecartridge 1 is accommodated in the cartridge accommodation portion 51 onthe main body side.

As shown in FIG. 12, in a case where the cartridge 1 is completelyaccommodated in the cartridge accommodation portion 51 on the main bodyside (i.e., in a case where the cartridge 1 is inserted into thecartridge insertion slot of the main body from the lower end of thecartridge 1, and the cartridge 1 is inserted all the way into thecartridge accommodation portion 51 and fixedly accommodated in thecartridge accommodation portion 51), the terminal T1 of the cartridge 1is electrically connected to the pins P0 and P1 on the main body side.Further, the terminals T2 to T16 of the cartridge 1 are connected to thepins P2 to P16, respectively, on the main body side.

The pin P0 on the main body side is a ground pin. The pin P1 is adetection pin for detecting the cartridge 1. If sensing theshort-circuiting of the pin P0 and the pin P1, the informationprocessing apparatus 50 senses the cartridge 1.

The pin P2 is a strobe signal pin for inputting a strobe signal from thecartridge 1. The pin P3 is a clock signal pin for outputting a clocksignal to the cartridge 1. Further, the pin P4 is a pin for outputting achip-enable signal. Further, the pins P5 and P6 are pins for data inputand output. The pin P7 is a power supply pin for supplying power to thememory control section 14 of the cartridge 1, and the voltage of thepower to be supplied is about 3.1 V. Further, the pins P8 and P9 arepins for data input and output. Further, the pin P10 is a power supplypin for supplying power for data input and output to the cartridge 1,and the voltage of the power to be supplied is about 1.8 V. The pins P11to P14 are pins for data input and output. The pin P15 is a ground pin.Further, the pin P16 is a pin for outputting a reset signal (a resetcancellation signal).

(State of Each Terminal when Cartridge is Inserted)

Next, a description is given of the state of each terminal when thecartridge 1 is inserted into the cartridge insertion slot of theinformation processing apparatus 50. FIGS. 13 to 18 are diagrams showingthe transition of the contact state of each terminal when the cartridge1 is inserted into the cartridge insertion slot. FIG. 13 is a diagramshowing the state where in a case where the cartridge 1 is inserted intothe cartridge insertion slot of the information processing apparatus 50,the terminals of the cartridge 1 come into contact with the pins on themain body side first. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the state of eachterminal when the cartridge 1 is inserted further (downward) from thestate in FIG. 13. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the state of eachterminal when the cartridge 1 is inserted further (downward) from thestate in FIG. 14. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the state of eachterminal when the cartridge 1 is inserted further (downward) from thestate in FIG. 15. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the state of eachterminal when the cartridge 1 is inserted further (downward) from thestate in FIG. 16. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the state of eachterminal when the cartridge 1 is inserted further (downward) from thestate in FIG. 17.

In FIGS. 13 to 18, a pin on the main body side that is not in contactwith a terminal of the cartridge 1 is indicated by a dashed whitecircle. A pin on the main body side that is in contact with a terminalof the cartridge 1 is indicated by a filled circle.

As shown in FIG. 13, in a case where the cartridge 1 is inserted intothe cartridge insertion slot of the information processing apparatus 50,the ground terminal T15 comes into contact with the ground pin P15 onthe main body side first because the lower end of the ground terminalT15 is located at the lowest position (i.e., the front end of the groundterminal T15 is located closest to the front end of the cartridge 1).The ground terminal T15 is thus brought into contact with the ground pinP15 on the main body side first, whereby it is possible to releaseunnecessary electric charges accumulated in the electronic circuits inthe cartridge 1.

As shown in FIG. 14, if the cartridge 1 is pushed further down from thestate in FIG. 13, the power supply terminals T7 and T10 come intocontact with the pins P7 and P10, respectively, on the main body side.The power supply terminal T7 comes into contact with the power supplypin P7 on the main body side, whereby it is possible to supply power tothe memory control section 14 in the cartridge 1. In the state where thepower supply pin P7 on the main body side is ON (about 3.1 V), thememory control section 14 can operate.

As shown in FIG. 15, if the cartridge 1 is pushed further down from thestate in FIG. 14, the terminal T3 comes into contact with the pin P2 onthe main body side. The terminal T4 comes into contact with the pin P4on the main body side. The terminal T6 comes into contact with the pinP5 on the main body side. The terminal T9 comes into contact with thepin P8 on the main body side. The terminal T12 comes into contact withthe pin P11 on the main body side. The terminal T14 comes into contactwith the pin P13 on the main body side. The terminal T16 comes intocontact with the pin P16 on the main body side.

As shown in FIG. 16, if the cartridge 1 is pushed further down from thestate in FIG. 15, the terminal T1 comes into contact with the pin P0 onthe main body side.

In the states shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the terminal T3 is in contactwith the pin P2. Further, the terminal T6 is in contact with the pin P5.Further, the terminal T9 is in contact with the pin P8. Further, theterminal T12 is in contact with the pin P11. Further, the terminal T14is in contact with the pin P13. These terminals are in contact with pinsdifferent from pins on the main body side to which these terminalsshould be connected by rights. In this state, however, the detection pinP1 on the main body side is not in contact with the terminal T1. Thus,the main body does not detect the cartridge 1, and a signal is not inputfrom the main body side to each terminal of the cartridge 1.

If the cartridge 1 is pushed further down from the state shown in FIG.16, the state transitions to that shown in FIG. 17. In this state shownin FIG. 17, all the pins except for the pin P1 on the main body sidecome into contact with the terminals T1 to T16. That is, the terminal T1comes into contact with the pin P0. Further, the terminal T2 comes intocontact with the pin P2. Further, the terminal T3 comes into contactwith the pin P3. Further, the terminal T4 comes into contact with thepin P4. Further, the terminal T5 comes into contact with the pin P5.Further, the terminal T6 comes into contact with the pin P6. Further,the terminal T7 comes into contact with the pin P7. Further, theterminal T8 comes into contact with the pin P8. Further, the terminal T9comes into contact with the pin P9. Further, the terminal T10 comes intocontact with the pin P10. Further, the terminal T11 comes into contactwith the pin P11. Further, the terminal T12 comes into contact with thepin P12. Further, the terminal T13 comes into contact with the pin P13.Further, the terminal T14 comes into contact with the pin P14. Further,the terminal T15 comes into contact with the pin P15. Further, theterminal T16 comes into contact with the pin P16. In this state, thedetection pin P1 on the main body side is not in contact with theterminal T1. Thus, the main body does not detect the cartridge 1, and asignal is not input from the main body side to each terminal of thecartridge 1.

Then, as shown in FIG. 18, if the cartridge 1 is pushed further downfrom the state in FIG. 17, the terminal T1 comes into contact with thepin P1 on the main body side, and all the pins P0 to P16 come intocontact with the terminals T1 to T16. Consequently, the main bodydetects the cartridge 1, and a signal is input from the main body sideto the cartridge 1.

As is clear from FIGS. 13 to 18, first, the ground terminal T15 comesinto contact with the ground pin P15 (FIG. 13). Next, the power supplyterminals T7 and T10 come into contact with the power supply pins P7 andP10, respectively (FIG. 14). Next, the chip-enable terminal T4, thereset terminal T16, the strobe terminal T2, the clock terminal T3, andthe data input/output terminals (T5, T6, T8, T9, and T11 to T14) comeinto contact with the pins on the main body side (FIG. 17). Then,finally, the detection terminal T1 comes into contact with the detectionpin P1 on the main body side (FIG. 18).

When the cartridge 1 is inserted into the cartridge insertion slot ofthe information processing apparatus 50, the terminals come into contactwith the pins on the main body side in such order, whereby it ispossible to insert the cartridge 1 more securely.

That is, the ground terminal T15 comes into contact with the ground pinP15 on the main body side first, whereby it is possible to releaseunnecessary electric charges accumulated in the circuits in thecartridge 1.

Next, the power supply terminals T7 and T10 come into contact with thepower supply pins P7 and P10, respectively, on the main body side,whereby in a case where the power supply pin P7 on the main body side isin an ON state, power is supplied to the memory control section 14 inthe cartridge 1, and a signal input to each terminal of the cartridge 1can be controlled. In a case where power is supplied to the memorycontrol section 14, and the memory control section 14 is in an operablestate (in a case where the power supply pin P7 on the main body side isin an ON state, and the power supply pin P7 is in contact with the powersupply terminal T7), and even if some unexpected signal is input to aterminal of the cartridge 1, it is possible to control (ignore) such thesignal.

In addition, the configuration is such that the detection pin P1 on themain body side comes into contact with the terminal T1 last. Thus, untilall the terminals are connected to the pins on the main body side towhich the terminals should be connected by rights, the main body doesnot detect the cartridge 1, and a signal from the main body side is notinput to each terminal of the cartridge 1. For example, if the main bodyside detects the cartridge 1 in the state shown in FIG. 16, a commandfor reading data may be sent from the main body side to the cartridge 1.In this case, for example, the terminal T6 is connected to the pin P5even though the terminal T6 should be connected to the pin P6 on themain body side by rights. Thus, an unexpected signal can be input. Inthe exemplary embodiment, however, the configuration is such that thedetection pin P1 on the main body side is connected to the terminal T1last. This can prevent such a situation from occurring.

It should be noted that the power supply terminals T7 and T10 do notnecessarily need to simultaneously come into contact with the pins onthe main body side. For example, the power supply terminal T7 may comeinto contact with the pin P7 on the main body side first. That is, thelower end of the power supply terminal T7 may be provided below thelower end of the power supply terminal T10. Further, for example, theground terminal T15 may have the same length as those of the powersupply terminals T7 and T10.

(State of Each Terminal when Cartridge is Removed)

When the cartridge 1 is removed from the main body, the order isreversed from the above. That is, the state transitions from FIG. 12 toFIGS. 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, and 13 in this order, and all the terminalscome out of contact with the pins on the main body side.

Specifically, first, the detection pin P1 comes out of contact with theterminal T1, and the main body recognizes the removal of the cartridge 1(FIG. 17). In response, the main body immediately switches the reset pinP16 from a high-voltage state to a low-voltage state. That is, a resetsignal is transmitted to the cartridge 1. In this state, the resetterminal T16 of the cartridge 1 is in contact with the pin P16 on themain body side, and the power supply terminal T7 is also in contact withthe power supply pin P7 on the main body side. Thus, if power issupplied from the main body side, the cartridge 1 can receive this resetsignal. The memory control section 14 of the cartridge 1 initializes thecircuits in accordance with the reception of this reset signal.

In a reset state (in the state where the reset terminal T16 is at a lowvoltage (0 V)), the memory control section 14 of the cartridge 1 ignoresany signal input from the main body side. Thus, even if some unexpectedsignal is input to each terminal of the cartridge 1, it is possible toprevent a failure from occurring. For example, even if an erroneoussignal is input to, for example, a data input/output terminal of thecartridge 1 from the main body side due to some cause, the memorycontrol section 14 of the cartridge 1 ignores the signal. This canprevent a failure from occurring.

In addition, in the state shown in FIG. 17, the ground terminals T1 andT15 are also in contact with the ground pins on the main body side.Thus, unnecessary electric charges are not accumulated in the circuitsin the cartridge 1. Further, the reset terminal T16 is also in contactwith the reset pin P16 on the main body side. Thus, the reset terminalT16 does not enter a high-voltage state beyond expectation, and thereset is not canceled. Thus, even if a signal beyond expectation flowsthrough each terminal of the cartridge 1, a failure is unlikely tooccur.

In addition, the reset terminal T16 is provided near the right side ofthe ground terminal T15, and another terminal is not placed to the rightside of the reset terminal T16. Thus, when the cartridge 1 is insertedinto or removed from the main body, another pin (e.g., a datainput/output pin) on the main body side is unlikely to come into contactwith the reset terminal T16, and the reset terminal T16 is unlikely toenter a high-voltage state beyond expectation (i.e., the reset isunlikely to be canceled).

If the state shown in FIG. 17 transitions to the state shown in FIG. 16,the terminals T2, T5, T8, T11, and T13 in the upper region of thecartridge 1 come out of contact with the pins P2, P5, P8, P11, and P13on the upper side of the main body. Instead, the pins P2, P5, P8, P11,and P13 on the upper side of the main body come into contact with theterminals T3, T6, T9, T12, and T14, respectively, in the lower region ofthe cartridge 1.

Specifically, in this state shown in FIG. 16, the strobe signal pin P2on the main body side is in contact with the clock terminal T3 of thecartridge 1. The strobe signal pin P2 on the main body side is a pin towhich a strobe signal from the cartridge 1 is input, and a signal is notoutput from the pin P2 to the cartridge 1 side. Further, the terminal T3of the cartridge 1 is a terminal to which a clock signal from the mainbody side is input, and a signal is not output from the terminal T3 tothe main body side. That is, in the state shown in FIG. 16, the pin P2for input and the terminal T3 for input are in contact with each other,and a signal does not flow between the pin P2 and the terminal T3.

In a case where the clock terminal and the strobe terminal are opposite(i.e., in a case where the clock signal pin and the clock terminal areon the upper side, and the strobe signal pin and the strobe terminal areon the lower side), and the state transitions to that shown in FIG. 16when the cartridge 1 is removed from the main body, the clock signal pinon the main body side comes into contact with the strobe terminal on thecartridge 1 side, and an unexpected signal may be input.

In the exemplary embodiment, however, the strobe terminal and the strobesignal pin are placed on the upper side, and the clock terminal and theclock signal pin are placed on the lower side. Thus, when the cartridge1 is removed from the main body, a pin on the main body side in an inputstate merely comes into contact with a terminal on the cartridge side inan input state. In this case, as described above, it is possible toprevent an unexpected signal from being input.

In addition, in the state shown in FIG. 16, the data input/outputterminals T6, T9, T12, and T14 are in contact with the pins P5, P8, P11,and P13, respectively, on the main body side and are in contact withpins different from pins with which the data input/output terminals T6,T9, T12, and T14 should be in contact by rights. In such a state,however, the power supply terminal T7 is in contact with the powersupply pin P7 of the main body, and the memory control section 14 canoperate in the reset state (if the power supply pin P7 on the main bodyside is in an ON state). Thus, even if a signal is input to theterminals T6, T9, T12, and T14, the memory control section 14 can ignorethe signal.

In addition, all the eight data input/output terminals enter inputstates or output states at the same time. Based on a command from themain body side, the memory control section 14 of the cartridge 1 switchall the eight data input/output terminals T5, T6, T8, T9, and T11 to T14to either input states or output states. For example, in a case wherethe main body reads data in the cartridge 1, a command for reading datafrom the eight data input/output pins P5, P6, P8, P9, and P11 to P14 isoutput. This command is input to the eight data input/output terminalsT5, T6, T8, T9, and T11 to T14 in input states. Then, the memory controlsection 14 of the cartridge 1 switches the eight data input/outputterminals to output states. Also on the main body side, the eight datainput/output pins are switched to input states. Then, the memory controlsection 14 reads data from the non-volatile memory 13 and outputs thedata from the eight data input/output terminals. If the reading of thedata is finished, the memory control section 14 changes back the eightdata input/output terminals to input states.

That is, the memory control section 14 switches all the eight datainput/output terminals T5, T6, T8, T9, and T11 to T14 to input states ata certain time and switches all the eight data input/output terminalsT5, T6, T8, T9, and T11 to T14 to output states at another time.

Thus, even if the state transitions to that shown in FIG. 16 while thecartridge 1 is being removed from the main body, there is no case wherethe pins P5, P8, P11, and P13 on the main body side enter output states,and the terminals T6, T9, T12, and T14 of the cartridge 1 enter outputstates. For example, while data is transmitted from the cartridge 1 tothe main body side, the eight data input/output pins P5, P6, P8, P9, andP11 to P14 on the main body side are all in input states, and the eightdata input/output terminals T5, T6, T8, T9, and T11 to T14 of thecartridge 1 are all in output states. If the cartridge 1 is removed fromthe main body at high speed while the main body is reading data in thecartridge 1, the pins P5, P8, P11, and P13 on the main body side are incontact with the terminals T6, T9, T12, and T14, respectively, of thecartridge 1 as in FIG. 16 until processing is performed when thecartridge 1 is removed on the main body side (the process of ending datainput and output). Even in such a case, the pins P5, P8, P11, and P13 onthe main body side are in input states, and the terminals T6, T9, T12,and T14 of the cartridge 1 are in output states. That is, there is nocase where both the pins on the main body side and the terminals of thecartridge 1 are in output states. The same applies while data istransmitted from the main body side to the cartridge 1.

As described above, when the cartridge 1 is inserted or removed, theclock terminal T3 and the data input/output terminals T6, T9, T12, andT14 come into contact with pins different from pins on the main bodyside with which the clock terminal T3 and the data input/outputterminals T6, T9, T12, and T14 should come into contact by rights. Evenin such a state, however, a terminal and a pin in output states do notcome into contact with each other. Further, a signal input to eachterminal from the memory control section 14 of the cartridge 1 iscontrolled. Thus, it is possible to remove the cartridge 1 from the mainbody with less failure.

If the state shown in FIG. 16 transitions to the state shown in FIG. 15,the terminal T1 comes out of contact with the pin P0 on the main bodyside. Also in this state, the power supply terminal T7 is in contactwith the power supply pin P7 on the main body side, and the memorycontrol section 14 can operate in the reset state (if the power supplypin P7 on the main body side is in an ON state). That is, a signal inputto each terminal of the cartridge 1 can be controlled (e.g., the stateof the terminal in the reset state (the state where a current does notflow through the terminal) can be maintained) by the memory controlsection 14.

If the state shown in FIG. 15 transitions to the state shown in FIG. 14,all the terminals except for the power supply terminals T7 and T10 andthe ground terminal T15 come out of contact with the pins on the mainbody side. Also in this state, the reset terminal T16 is in alow-voltage state (0 V), and the power supply terminal T7 is in contactwith the power supply pin P7 on the main body side. Thus, if the powersupply pin P7 on the main body side is in an ON state, power is suppliedto the memory control section 14. Thus, the memory control section 14can operate.

If the state shown in FIG. 14 transitions to the state shown in FIG. 13,the two power supply terminals T7 and T10 come out of contact with thepower supply pins P7 and P10 on the main body side, and only the groundterminal T15 is in contact with the ground pin P15 on the main bodyside. Then, finally, the ground terminal T15 comes out of contact withthe pin P15 on the main body side, and the cartridge 1 is completelypulled out from the main body. Since the ground terminal T15 is removedfrom the main body last (the ground terminal T15 is in contact with theground pin P15 in the main body to the last), the cartridge 1 is removedfrom the main body in an electrically stable state.

As described above, in the cartridge 1 according to the exemplaryembodiment, the above placement and the above lengths of the terminalsare employed. Thus, it is possible to insert or remove the cartridge 1more securely.

(Wiring from Each Terminal)

Next, a description is given of wiring for connecting each terminal tothe circuits in the cartridge 1. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing conductingwires formed on the substrate 12 of the cartridge 1.

As shown in FIG. 19, conducting wires 15 are formed by printing on thefront surface of the substrate 12. Although not shown in the figures,the terminals T1 to T16 are connected to the memory control section 14in the cartridge 1 by the conducting wires 15. The conducting wires fromthe terminals T3, T6, T9, T12, and T14 provided in the lower regionextend upward through the gaps between the terminal groups.Specifically, the conducting wires are drawn obliquely upward (e.g., ina 45-degree direction such that the horizontal direction is 0 degrees)from the sides of the terminals T3, T6, T9, T12, and T14 provided in thelower region. Then, the conducting wires are formed so as to bendsharply in the middle and extend linearly in the up direction.

Here, it is also possible that each conducting wire is drawn in a0-degree direction (a lateral direction) from the side of the terminal,is bent at a right angle in the middle, and extends upward. However, ifthe conducting wire is bent at a right angle in the middle, the linewidth in this right-angle portion is greater than those in otherportions, and the impedance changes at the right-angle portion. Thiscauses the generation of noise. Thus, in the exemplary embodiment, theconfiguration is such that the conducting wire is bent at an angle(e.g., 45 degrees) smaller than 90 degrees to make a change in the linewidth small, i.e., make a change in the impedance small, thereby makingnoise less likely to be generated.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 19, the conducting wire from the terminalT12 and the conducting wire from the terminal T14 extend upward throughthe same gap. This can reduce the number of gaps, and therefore can makethe width of the entirety of the cartridge 1 small.

In addition, in the exemplary embodiment, the conducting wires are drawnfrom the sides of the terminals T3, T6, T9, T12, and T14 provided in thelower region, without drawing the conducting wires from the upper endsof the terminals T3, T6, T9, T12, and T14. Consequently, when thesubstrate 12 is accommodated in the housing 11, these conducting wiresare hidden behind the separators 11 a of the housing 11. Further, theconducting wires are not drawn from the upper ends of the terminals butare drawn from the sides. Thus, when the cartridge 1 is inserted into orremoved from the main body, the pins on the main body side do not comeinto contact with the conducting wires (a pin on the main body sidepasses between terminals placed one above the other, the pin does notpass over a conducting wire). Thus, it is possible to prevent physicaldamage on the conducting wires.

FIG. 20 is an enlarged view of a part of the cartridge 1 when thesubstrate 12 is accommodated in the housing 11. As shown in FIG. 20, theterminals T1 to T16 are exposed to the outside, and the gap between aterminal group (e.g., the terminals T1 to T3) and a terminal group(e.g., the terminals T4 to T6) is covered by one of the separators 11 a,which is a part of the housing 11. As described above, all theconducting wires from the terminals T3, T6, T9, T12, and T14 areconcealed by the separators 11 a. Thus, it is possible to protect theconducting wires. Further, with the separators 11 a, it is possible toprevent the user's fingers from touching the terminals.

It should be noted that the exemplary embodiment is not limited to thecase where the conducting wires 15 are formed by printing on the frontsurface of the substrate 12. Alternatively, the configuration may besuch that the conducting wires 15 are formed within the substrate sothat the conducting wires 15 are not visible on the front surface of thesubstrate 12.

(Main Effects)

As described above, the terminals T1 to T16 of the cartridge 1 arecharacterized in their placement and lengths, which produce thefollowing main effects.

That is, a plurality of sets of two terminals arranged in the up-downdirection (the insertion/removal direction of the cartridge 1) areplaced in the horizontal direction. This can increase the number of datainput/output terminals to enable high-speed data input and output, andalso can shorten the length in the horizontal direction of the cartridge1.

In addition, near a terminal (the data input/output terminals, thestrobe terminal, or the clock terminal) of which the voltage frequentlychanges, a terminal (the ground terminals, the power supply terminals,the chip-enable terminal, or the reset terminal) of which the voltageinfrequently changes is provided. Particularly, two terminals of whichthe voltages frequently change are arranged one above the other, andnear the two terminals in the left direction or the right direction, along terminal of which the voltage infrequently changes and which isacross the upper region and the lower region is provided. This makes itpossible to place two short terminals of which the voltages frequentlychange, adjacent to a single long terminal of which the voltageinfrequently changes. Thus, even if many data input/output terminals areplaced, it is possible to place long terminals near the datainput/output terminals. As described above, near a terminal of which thevoltage frequently changes, a terminal of which the voltage infrequentlychanges is provided, whereby it is possible to make the terminal ofwhich the voltage frequently changes less likely to be influenced bynoise. Further, near a terminal of which the voltage frequently changes,a long terminal of which the voltage infrequently changes is provided,whereby it is possible to reduce the influence of the terminal of whichthe voltage frequently changes, on the surroundings of the terminal.

In addition, in the exemplary embodiment, the strobe terminal T2 and theclock terminal T3 are placed in the upper region and the lower region,respectively. Consequently, when the cartridge 1 is removed from themain body, the clock signal pin (output) on the main body side does notcome into contact with the strobe terminal (output) on the cartridgeside. Thus, it is possible to remove the cartridge 1 from the main bodymore securely.

In addition, in the exemplary embodiment, four sets of two datainput/output terminals arranged one above the other are provided. Theeight data input/output terminals are all in input states or outputstates at a certain time. Thus, when the cartridge 1 is removed from themain body, and even if a data input/output terminal in the lower regioncomes into contact with a data input/output pin on the upper side on themain body side, there is no case where both the main body side and thecartridge side are in output states. Thus, it is possible to remove thecartridge 1 from the main body with less failure.

In addition, in the exemplary embodiment, the configuration is such thatwhen the cartridge 1 is inserted into the main body, the terminal T1comes into contact with the detection pin P1 on the main body side last.Consequently, until all the terminals are connected to the pins on themain body side, the main body does not detect the cartridge 1, and anunexpected signal is not input from the main body to the cartridge 1.Conversely, when the cartridge 1 is removed from the main body, thedetection pin P1 on the main body side separates from the terminal T1first, and the main body does not detect the cartridge 1. After that, asignal is not output from the main body. Thus, it is possible todecrease the likelihood that an unexpected signal is input from the mainbody side to the cartridge 1.

In addition, in the exemplary embodiment, when the cartridge 1 isinserted into the main body, the ground terminal T15 comes into contactwith the ground pin P15 first. Thus, it is possible to releaseunnecessary electric charges accumulated in the circuits of thecartridge 1.

In addition, in the exemplary embodiment, when the cartridge 1 isinserted into the main body, the power supply terminal T7 comes intocontact with the power supply pin on the main body side before the datainput/output terminals, the reset terminal, and the chip-enable terminalcome into contact with the pins on the main body side. This makes itpossible to supply power to the power supply terminal T7. In a casewhere the power supply pin P7 on the main body side is in an ON state,the memory control section 14 of the cartridge 1 can operate.Consequently, even if an unexpected signal is input to each terminalbefore the cartridge 1 is completely inserted into the main body, thesignal can be controlled.

(Variations)

It should be noted that the shapes, the placement, and the sizes of theabove terminals of the cartridge 1 are not limited to those describedabove. Variations of the cartridge 1 are described below.

FIGS. 21 to 31 are diagrams showing examples of terminals in anotherexemplary embodiment. In FIGS. 21 to 31, similarly to the above,terminals placed on the substrate 12 of the cartridge 1 are representedas “T1 to T16”, and pins on the main body side are represented as “P0 toP16”.

As shown in FIG. 21, the lower ends of the terminals may be all aligned.Specifically, in a variation shown in FIG. 21, the positions in theup-down direction of the lower ends of the six long terminals (T1, T4,T7, T10, T15, and T16) across the upper region and the lower region andthe positions in the up-down direction of the lower ends of the fiveterminals (T3, T6, T9, T12, and T14) in the lower region coincide witheach other.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 22, the lower ends of all the terminalsexcept for the terminal T1 may be aligned. Specifically, in a variationshown in FIG. 22, the positions in the up-down direction of the lowerends of the five long terminals (T4, T7, T10, T15, and T16) across theupper region and the lower region and the positions in the up-downdirection of the lower ends of the five terminals (T3, T6, T9, T12, andT14) in the lower region coincide with each other. On the other hand,the lower end of the ground-and-detection terminal T1 is located abovethe lower ends of the other terminals. Thus, when the cartridge 1 isinserted into the main body, the detection pin P1 on the main body sidecomes into contact with the terminal T1 last. That is, the main bodydetects the cartridge 1 in the state where all the terminals areconnected to the pins on the main body side. Consequently, the main bodycan transmit a signal to the cartridge 1 in the state where all theterminals of the cartridge 1 are connected to the pins on the main bodyside. Thus, it is possible to prevent a failure from occurring.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 23, the lower end of the terminal T15 maybe aligned with the terminals T7 and T10.

In the above exemplary embodiment, when the cartridge 1 is inserted intothe main body, the terminals of the cartridge 1 are connected to thepins on the main body side in order from (1) to (4) as follows.

(1) The ground terminal T15 is brought into contact with the ground pinP15 on the main body side first.

(2) The power supply terminals T7 and T10 are brought into contact withthe power supply pins P7 and P10 on the main body side.

(3) The strobe terminal T2, the clock terminal T3, the chip-enableterminal T4, the eight data input/output terminals T5, T6, T8, T9, andT11 to T14, and the reset terminal T16 are brought into contact with thepins P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P8, P9, P11 to P14, and P16, respectively, onthe main body side.(4) The ground-and-detection terminal T1 is brought into contact withthe detection pin P1 on the main body side.

In contrast, in a variation shown in FIG. 23, the ground terminal T15and the power supply terminals T7 and T10 are connected to the pins P15,P7, and P10, respectively, on the main body side first. Also in such aconfiguration, it is possible to release unnecessary electric charges inthe cartridge 1 first and also possible to allow the supply of power tothe memory control section 14. In a case where power is supplied fromthe main body side to the power supply terminal T7, the memory controlsection 14 can control a signal.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 24, some of the long terminals may beformed to be short. For example, in FIG. 24, the chip-enable terminal T4and the power supply terminals T7 and T10 are provided in the upperregion and formed to be short, similarly to the other terminals providedin the upper region (T2, T5, and the like).

In addition, as shown in FIG. 25, all the long terminals except for theterminal T1 may be formed to be short. Specifically, in the exampleshown in FIG. 25, the chip-enable terminal T4, the power supplyterminals T7 and T10, the ground terminal T15, and the reset terminalT16 are provided in the upper region and formed to be short, similarlyto the other terminals (T2, T5, and the like) provided in the upperregion. On the other hand, the ground-and-detection terminal T1 isformed with such a length as to be across the upper region and the lowerregion. This is because the main body detects the cartridge 1 based onthe short-circuiting of the pin P0 and the pin P1 on the main body side,and therefore, the terminal T1 needs to be formed to be at least longerthan the distance between the pin P0 and the pin P1.

It should be noted that FIGS. 24 and 25 are merely illustrative.Alternatively, at least one of the terminals T4, T7, T10, T15, and T16may be formed to be short. For example, the two terminals T15 and T16may be formed to be short (e.g., similarly to the terminal T13).Further, for example, the terminals T4 and/or T16 may be formed to beshort.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 26, the ground-and-detection terminal T1may be divided into two short terminals, and these two terminals may beconnected together by a conducting wire. The two terminals connected bysuch a conducting wire are electrically a single terminal, which issubstantially the same as the long terminal T1 across the upper regionand the lower region shown in FIG. 5. It should be noted that in a casewhere the terminal T1 is divided into two terminals in appearance as inFIG. 26, a conducting wire may be formed by printing on the frontsurface of the substrate 12, or a conducting wire may be formed withinthe substrate 12 so as not to be visible from the outside.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 27, the configuration may be such that thewidths of some of the terminals are great. For example, in the exampleshown in FIG. 27, the terminal T4 is made short (placed in the upperregion), and the width of the terminal T3 is made so great as to reach aregion created by making the terminal T4 short. Further, the terminalT15 is made short, and the width of the terminal T14 is made so great asto reach a region created by making the terminal T15 short.

That is, in the above exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, fourterminal groups, each including a single long terminal and two shortterminals arranged one above the other, are formed to be arranged in thehorizontal direction. Further, gaps are provided between the terminalgroups. In another exemplary embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG.27, the terminals of the cartridge 1 may have any shapes so long as theterminals of the cartridge 1 are connected to correct pins on the mainbody side when the cartridge 1 is fixed to the main body.

For example, as shown in FIG. 28, all the distances between theterminals may be set to be the same, and the gaps between the terminalgroups as shown in FIG. 5 may not be provided. Also with such shapes ofthe terminals, the configuration is such that near a terminal of whichthe voltage frequently changes, a terminal of which the voltageinfrequently changes is provided. For example, near the left side of thestrobe terminal T2, the ground-and-detection terminal T1 is present.Near the left side of the data input/output terminal T5, the chip-enableterminal T4 is present. Near the left side of the data input/outputterminal T8, the power supply terminal T7 is present. Near the left sideof the data input/output terminal T11, the power supply terminal T10 ispresent. Near the right side of the data input/output terminal T13, theground terminal T15 is present. Similarly, near the left side of theclock terminal T3, the ground-and-detection terminal T1 is present. Nearthe left side of the data input/output terminal T6, the chip-enableterminal T4 is present. Near the left side of the data input/outputterminal T9, the power supply terminal T7 is present. Near the left sideof the data input/output terminal T12, the power supply terminal T10 ispresent. Near the right side of the data input/output terminal T14, theground terminal T15 is present.

In addition, also in FIG. 28, similarly to FIG. 5, in at least a part ofthe terminal placement region, a terminal of which the voltageinfrequently changes and a terminal of which the voltage frequentlychanges are arranged alternately in the horizontal direction. Forexample, in the upper region, the terminals T1, T2, T4, T5, T7, T8, T10,and T11 are arranged in the horizontal direction. Thus, theconfiguration is such that a terminal of which the voltage infrequentlychanges and a terminal of which the voltage frequently changes arearranged alternately in the horizontal direction. Further, to the rightof the terminal T11, the data input/output terminal T13 is provided. Tothe right of the data input/output terminal T13, the ground terminal T15is provided. To the right of the ground terminal T15 (at the right endof the terminal placement region), the reset terminal T16 is provided.Similarly, in the lower region, the terminals T1, T3, T4, T6, T7, T9,T10, and T12 are arranged in the horizontal direction.

It should be noted that in FIG. 28, a conducting wire from each terminalmay be formed within the substrate 12.

In addition, for example, as shown in FIG. 29, the terminals of thecartridge 1 according to the above exemplary embodiment may be placed atdifferent positions in the up-down direction, or may be formed withdifferent lengths in the up-down direction. In the example shown in FIG.29, the terminals T4, T5, T10, T11, and T12 are different from therespective terminals shown in FIG. 5 and the like in position andlength. Specifically, the terminal T4 is formed to be shorter than theterminal T4 shown in FIG. 5 and is so formed that in a case where thecartridge is inserted all the way into the main body, an upper endportion of the terminal T4 comes into contact with the pin P4 on themain body side. Further, the terminal T5 is moved to a position abovethat shown in FIG. 5 and is so formed that in a case where the cartridgeis inserted all the way into the main body, a lower end portion of theterminal T5 comes into contact with the pin P5 on the main body side.Further, the terminal T10 is formed to be short and is so formed that ina case where the cartridge is inserted all the way into the main body, alower end portion of the terminal T10 comes into contact with the pinP10 on the main body side. Further, the terminal T11 is formed to belonger than the terminal T11 shown in FIG. 5 and also located at a lowerposition. The terminal T11 is so formed that in a case where thecartridge is inserted all the way into the main body, an upper endportion of the terminal T11 comes into contact with the pin P11 on themain body side. Further, the terminal T12 is formed to be shorter thanthe terminal T12 shown in FIG. 5 and is so formed that in a case wherethe cartridge is inserted all the way into the main body, an upper endportion of the terminal T12 comes into contact with the pin P12 on themain body side.

Also with the placement of the terminals as shown in FIG. 29, in a casewhere the cartridge is inserted all the way into the main body (in acase where the cartridge is completely inserted into the main body andfixed), the terminals of the cartridge are electrically connected to thepins on the main body side. Thus, the main body can read or write datafrom or to the cartridge.

As described above, the positions and the shapes of the terminals of thecartridge may be any positions and shapes so long as the terminals ofthe cartridge are electrically connected to the pins on the main bodyside. The configuration is such that even if the positions and theshapes of the terminals are changed, among at least some of theplurality of terminals of the cartridge, near a terminal of which thevoltage frequently changes in the horizontal direction, a terminal ofwhich the voltage infrequently changes is located.

Specifically, near the left side of the strobe terminal T2, theground-and-detection terminal T1 is present. Near the left side of thedata input/output terminal T5, the chip-enable terminal T4 is present.Further, near the left side of the data input/output terminal T8, thepower supply terminal T7 is present. Near the left side of the datainput/output terminal T11, the power supply terminal T10 is present.Further, near the right side of the data input/output terminal T13, theground terminal T15 is present.

In addition, in at least a part of the terminal placement region, aterminal of which the voltage infrequently changes and a terminal ofwhich the voltage frequently changes are arranged alternately in thehorizontal direction. Also in the example shown in FIG. 29, for example,in the upper region, the terminals T1, T2, T4, T5, T7, T8, T10, and T11are arranged in the horizontal direction (the direction in which thepins on the main body side on the upper side are arranged), and aterminal of which the voltage infrequently changes and a terminal ofwhich the voltage frequently changes are arranged alternately in thehorizontal direction.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 30, the ground terminal T15 may not beprovided. Even if the terminal T15 is not provided, the terminal T1 isconnected to the pin P0 on the main body side, thereby grounding thecartridge. Thus, the ground terminal T15 may not be provided.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 31, two short terminals arranged one abovethe other may be slightly shifted in the left-right direction. Forexample, in FIG. 31, the terminal T2 and the terminal T3 are placed soas to be arranged one above the other, and the position of the center inthe horizontal direction of the terminal T2 and the position of thecenter in the horizontal direction of the terminal T3 do not completelycoincide with each other. Similarly, the terminal T5 and the terminal T6are placed so as to be arranged one above the other, and the position ofthe center in the horizontal direction of the terminal T5 and theposition of the center in the horizontal direction of the terminal T6 donot completely coincide with each other. As described above, insomuchthat two short terminals arranged one above the other come into contactwith the pins on the main body side, the centers in the horizontaldirection of the two short terminals arranged one above the other may besubstantially shifted in the left-right direction. That is, thepositions in the left-right direction of two terminals arranged oneabove the other do not need to exactly coincide with each other.Further, the widths of two short terminals arranged one above the otherdo not necessary need to be the same. As in the terminal T9 in FIG. 31,the width of the terminal T9 may be configured to be smaller than thatof the terminal T8 (or conversely, the width of the terminal T9 may beconfigured to be greater than that of the terminal T8). As describedabove, the width of one of two terminals arranged one above the othermay be configured to be smaller (or greater) than that of the otherterminal so long as the two terminals come into contact with the pins onthe main body side.

It should be noted that the variations shown in FIGS. 21 to 31 aremerely illustrative. Alternatively, the positions and the sizes of theterminals and the distances between the terminals may be any positions,sizes, and distances so long as the terminals of the cartridge and thepins on the main body side are electrically connected together. Further,in the terminal placement region, in addition to the terminalselectrically connected to the pins on the main body side, a terminalthat is not electrically connected to any of the pins on the main bodyside may be provided.

In addition, the non-volatile memory 13 of the cartridge may bedetachably connected to the cartridge 1.

FIGS. 32 and 33 are diagrams showing examples of the configuration inwhich the non-volatile memory 13 is detachably connected to thecartridge 1. In the example shown in FIG. 32, for example, an insertionslot for inserting the non-volatile memory 13 is provided at the upperend of the cartridge 1. The non-volatile memory 13 is inserted into theinsertion slot and fixed to the cartridge 1. The information processingapparatus 50 reads a predetermined program or data (e.g., a gameprogram, game data, or the like) from the non-volatile memory 13 orwrites a predetermined program or data to the non-volatile memory 13 viathe cartridge 1. As the attachable and detachable non-volatile memory13, a general-purpose non-volatile memory may be used. For example, asthe attachable and detachable non-volatile memory 13, an SD card, a miniSD card, a micro SD card, or the like may be used. Further, ageneral-purpose non-volatile memory based on another standard may bedetachably connected to the cartridge 1. Further, in the example shownin FIG. 33, for example, an insertion slot for inserting thenon-volatile memory 13 is provided on the side surface of the cartridge1, and the non-volatile memory 13 is inserted into the insertion slotprovided on the side surface. As described above, the non-volatilememory 13 may be detachably connected to the cartridge 1. It should benoted that the exemplary embodiment is not limited to the form in whichthe non-volatile memory 13 is inserted through the upper surface or theside surface of the cartridge 1. Alternatively, for example, a recessedportion for fitting the non-volatile memory 13 may be formed on thefront surface or the back surface of the cartridge 1, and thenon-volatile memory 13 is fit into the recessed portion, therebydetachably connecting the non-volatile memory 13 to the cartridge 1.

In addition, in the above exemplary embodiment, as a storage device forstoring a predetermined program, data, or the like, the non-volatilememory 13 is used. Alternatively, any storage medium (e.g., a magneticdisk, an optical disc, or the like) capable of storing information maybe used, instead of the non-volatile memory.

In addition, in the cartridge according to the exemplary embodiment,instead of the insertion slot of the non-volatile memory 13 in the aboveexemplary embodiment, an insertion slot (e.g., the cartridgeaccommodation portion 51 of the information processing apparatus 50) forinserting another cartridge may be provided. In this case, via thecartridge according to the exemplary embodiment, the informationprocessing apparatus 50 reads a predetermined program or data (e.g., agame program, game data, or the like) stored in another cartridgeinserted into the insertion slot, or writes data to another cartridge.That is, the cartridge according to the exemplary embodiment alsoincludes a cartridge of a so-called adapter type that mediatescommunication between another cartridge and the information processingapparatus 50.

In addition, in the cartridge 1, the separators 11 a are provided. Theseparators 11 a, however, may not be necessarily provided. For example,some or all of the four separators 11 a shown in FIG. 2 may not beprovided.

While certain example systems, methods, devices and apparatuses havebeen described herein, it is to be understood that the appended claimsare not to be limited to the systems, methods, devices and apparatusesdisclosed, but on the contrary, are intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cartridge having a front end and a rear end andconfigured to connect to a game apparatus by inserting the cartridge,the front end first, into a cartridge insertion slot of the gameapparatus, a direction in which the cartridge is inserted into orremoved from the cartridge insertion slot is a first direction, thecartridge comprising: a terminal placement region that includes a firstregion and a second region and that includes a plurality of terminalsconfigured to electrically connect to terminals of the game apparatus inthe cartridge insertion slot, wherein the second region and the firstregion are adjacent to each other in the first direction, the firstregion is closer in the terminal placement region to the front end ofthe cartridge than the second region is, the plurality of terminalsinclude at least a strobe terminal and a clock terminal, the clockterminal is in the first region, and the strobe terminal is in thesecond region.
 2. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the strobe terminaland the clock terminal are sequentially arranged in the first direction,wherein the plurality of terminals further comprise at least a firstdata input/output terminal and a second data input/output terminal, andwherein a direction perpendicular to the first direction is a seconddirection.
 3. The cartridge of claim 2, wherein one of the plurality ofterminals includes the first data input/output terminal, the first datainput/output terminal being located in the first region.
 4. Thecartridge of claim 2, wherein one of the plurality of terminals includesthe second data input/output terminal, the second data input/outputterminal being located in the second region.
 5. The cartridge of claim2, wherein the plurality of terminals includes the second datainput/output terminal and the first data input/output terminal beingsequentially arranged in the first direction.
 6. The cartridge of claim2, further comprising a plurality of long terminals each located withina first portion in the first region and a second portion in the secondregion, wherein one of the plurality of long terminals is adjacent tothe second data input/output terminal and the first data input/outputterminal on at least one side of the one of the long terminals in thesecond direction.
 7. The cartridge of claim 2, wherein at least part ofthe first data input/output terminal is aligned in the first directionwith at least part of the second data input/output terminal.
 8. Thecartridge of claim 2, wherein the first data input/output terminal isconfigured to connect to a first terminal of the game apparatus when thecartridge is inserted into the cartridge insertion slot, and the seconddata input/output terminal is configured to connect to a second terminalof the game apparatus when the cartridge is inserted into the cartridgeinsertion slot, and wherein the first data input/output terminal isplaced such that inserting the cartridge into the cartridge insertionslot causes the second terminal of the game apparatus to contact thefirst data input/output terminal.
 9. The cartridge of claim 2, furthercomprising a plurality of long terminals each located within a firstportion in the first region and a second portion in the second region.10. The cartridge of claim 9, wherein one of the plurality of longterminals is adjacent to the strobe terminal and the clock terminal onat least one side of the one of the long terminals in the seconddirection.
 11. The cartridge of claim 10, wherein the long terminaladjacent to the strobe terminal and the clock terminal is aground-and-detection terminal.
 12. The cartridge of claim 9, wherein theplurality of long terminals includes a power supply terminal and aground terminal.
 13. The cartridge of claim 12, wherein the plurality oflong terminals include a chip-enable terminal, and wherein one of theground terminal, the power supply terminal, and the chip-enable terminalis adjacent to the first data input/output terminal and the second datainput/output terminal on at least one side in the second direction. 14.The cartridge of claim 12, wherein the ground terminal is adjacent tothe clock terminal and the strobe terminal on at least one side in thesecond direction.
 15. The cartridge of claim 12, wherein the pluralityof long terminals include a reset terminal, and wherein the resetterminal is at one end of the terminal placement region in the seconddirection.
 16. The cartridge of claim 9, wherein the long terminals andsets of two terminals in the second region and the first region andarranged in the first direction are placed alternately in the seconddirection in the terminal placement region.
 17. The cartridge of claim9, wherein the plurality of long terminals include a detection terminalconfigured to allow the game apparatus to detect the cartridge, andwherein a front end of the detection terminal is located furthest fromthe front end of the cartridge compared to front ends of the terminalsin the first region and front ends of the plurality of long terminals.18. The cartridge of claim 1, further comprising at least one separatorlocated between the plurality of terminals.
 19. In a cartridge for usewith a game apparatus cartridge insertion slot providing first andsecond electrical terminals therein, the cartridge having a cartridgefront end and a cartridge rear end and configured to be insertable frontend first into the game apparatus cartridge insertion slot, a directionin which the cartridge is inserted into the game apparatus cartridgeinsertion slot being an insertion direction, the cartridge comprising: afirst terminal placement region, and a second terminal placement region,the first terminal placement region and the second terminal placementregion being adjacent to each other in the insertion direction, thefirst terminal placement region being closer than the second terminalplacement region to the cartridge front end, the first terminalplacement region comprising a clock terminal configured to connect withthe first electrical terminal, and the second terminal placement regioncomprising a strobe terminal configured to connect with the secondelectrical terminal.
 20. In a game cartridge having a cartridgeinsertion end configured to be insertable in an insertion direction intoa game cartridge insertion slot providing first and second electricalterminals therein, structure comprising: a first terminal placementregion, and a second terminal placement region disposed adjacent to thefirst terminal placement region in the insertion direction, the firstterminal placement region being closer than the second terminalplacement region to the cartridge insertion end and comprising a clockterminal configured and positioned to electrically conduct clocksignals, the second terminal placement region comprising a strobeterminal configured and positioned to electrically conduct strobesignals.
 21. In the cartridge of claim 19, wherein the strobe terminaland the clock terminal are sequentially arranged in the insertiondirection.
 22. In the game cartridge of claim 20, wherein the first andsecond terminal placement regions are configured so that the clockterminal and the strobe terminal are sequentially arranged in theinsertion direction and simultaneously electrically connect with thefirst and second electrical terminals, respectively, upon insertion ofthe game cartridge into the game cartridge insertion slot.
 23. Thecartridge of claim 12, wherein the power supply terminal is a powersupply terminal for a memory control section or a power supply terminalfor data input and output.
 24. A cartridge having a front end and a rearend and configured to connect to a game apparatus by inserting thecartridge, the front end first, into a cartridge insertion slot of thegame apparatus, a direction in which the cartridge is inserted into orremoved from the cartridge insertion slot is a first direction, thecartridge comprising: a terminal placement region that includes: aplurality of first terminals located in a first region and configured toelectrically connect to corresponding terminals of the game apparatus inthe cartridge insertion slot; a plurality of second terminals located ina second region and configured to electrically connect to correspondingterminals of the game apparatus in the cartridge insertion slot; and aplurality of long terminals configured to electrically connect tocorresponding terminals of the game apparatus in the cartridge insertionslot, each of the long terminals being located in the first region andthe second region, wherein the first region is closer in the terminalplacement region to the front end of the cartridge than the secondregion is.